 |
| A no-leash playground for dogs on Seoul's Yeouido Hangang Park will open on a trial basis for two months from March 2. Courtesy of Seoul Metropolitan Government |
By Lee Hyo-jin
Seoul city will open a no-leash playground for dogs at Yeouido Hangang Park on a trial basis for two months beginning in March.
The Seoul Metropolitan Government announced Sunday that the park will operate from March 2 until the end of April, and a formal opening of the playground will be decided following feedback from residents.
Opening hours of the park are from Tuesday to Sunday between 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. It will close on rainy days. Only dogs registered with an identification chip or collar will be allowed to enter the venue. The city added that the park may accept visitors on a reservation basis depending on the number of park-goers.
The fenced-in facility is equipped with installments dogs can use to run, climb and jump. A dog trainer managing the facility will be offering behavioral training for companion animals.
According to the city government, it is the first public dog play zone in Seoul to be established near a river, as part of the city's project in designing dog parks at riverside parks.
In its move to become a more pet-friendly city, the local government has been working to set up at least one dog park in every district.
As it became difficult to set up the facility in residential areas due to conflicts with some residents, the authorities have been looking at places along the Han River, where many people take their companion animals for walks.
But the plan faced challenges due to related laws, as the River Act prohibits raising or fly-grazing livestock along rivers or streams. Dogs are classified as livestock under the law.
However, a revision bill to the River Act passed in December 2022 ― which will take effect this July ― has enabled the city authorities to materialize the plan.
Currently, there are 10 dog parks across the city including at Children's Grand Park in Gwangjin District, Seoul World Cup Stadium in Mapo District and Boramae Park in Dongjak District.
![[INTERVIEW] Virtual K-pop group MAVE: is more than just pretty pixels](https://img.koreatimes.co.kr/upload/thumbnailV2/bcc387606cf7451c94f51a5978960c9f.jpg/dims/resize/178/optimize)
![[INTERVIEW] 'Cobweb' director questions meaning of cinema](https://img.koreatimes.co.kr/upload/thumbnailV2/a029c9ea411f4aef94c6310f6a7c3c54.jpg/dims/resize/178/optimize)
![[INTERVIEW] Seoul's increased art market momentum brings Sotheby's back to Korea](https://img.koreatimes.co.kr/upload/thumbnailV2/3439cc1e2d744b85ab81fdcf6f045ba5.jpg/dims/resize/178/optimize)
