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| A "park for dogs" at the World Cup Park in Mapo-gu, Seoul. The facility will be available all year round. / Courtesy of Seoul Metropolitan Government |
By Kim Rahn
Seoul City reopened three "parks for dogs" last week, earlier than in previous years following increased demand from dog owners for sites where they could let their pets exercise and walk without having to worry about other residents.
The Seoul Metropolitan Government has been operating three dog parks since 2013, at Seoul Children's Grand Park in Gwangjin-gu, the World Cup Park in Mapo-gu, and Boramae Park in Dongjak-gu.
The parks have a large space where dogs can frolic around without a leash, as well as drinking fountains, tables and benches.
The city government used to close them between December and February to prevent possible accidents arising from the frozen ground.
But calls grew for the parks to open in winter, so it ran a test operation of the World Cup Park location in December and January, and found 220 people used it a day on average.
The city then decided to open the parks at Boramae and the World Cup parks all year round, while waiting for a further review on the facility at Seoul Children's Grand Park because there are many slopes and thus a higher chance of people or dogs getting hurt from slipping on icy ground.
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| A park for dogs at Seoul Children's Grand Park in Gwangjin-gu, eastern Seoul. / Courtesy of Seoul Metropolitan Government |
The parks are available any time of day or night and for free. But they are closed when special weather advisories are issued such as heat waves, cold spells and fine dust.
Dog owners aged 14 or older are allowed, and younger owners can enter when they are accompanied by an adult. They need to carry a leash and poop bags.
Entry can also be limited for dogs suspected of having disease, rutting dogs, or dogs categorized as fierce by the Animal Protection Law including tosas, pit bull terriers and rottweilers.
Food ― either for human or dogs ― and smoking are not allowed at the facilities.
The city government disinfects the parks once a week together with regional health offices and the Seoul Research Institute of Public Health and Environment.
In a survey of the park users in 2018, 93.8 percent of 632 respondents said they were satisfied with the facilities. For the best reason for their satisfaction, 75.9 percent cited the large space for their dogs to run around as much as they want.
"The number of dog owners using the parks is increasing along with growing attention to pet dogs' health and rights," a city official said. "We are expanding the operation period for the facilities according to citizens' needs."
