By Kwon Mee-yoo
Staff Reporter
Seoul City announced Monday that it will build eight "eco-parks" by 2014, with three, including the Ichon Ecological Park in Yongsan, to open by 2011.
The other two will be located in Jamsil, southern Seoul, and Yanghwa, western Seoul.
"Making ecological parks is part of the Han River Renaissance project," Chang Jung-woo, assistant mayor in charge of the project, said during a press conference.
"We will provide more opportunities for citizens to enjoy an environment-friendly Seoul."
Ichon Ecological Park will be 250,000 square meters on the riverside between the Dongjak and the Banpo bridges, equal in size to the Bamseom Ecological Conservation Site, an uninhabited island near Seogang Bridge.
The Jamsil park is envisioned to provide citizens with opportunities to observe fish and other wildlife.
The city will make use of the parks as ecological learning and experience places so residents will be able learn about nature.
"We will preserve the natural environment and create an ecological wetland by using water from the Han River," Chang said. "Ichon Ecological Park will be part of Seoul's green zone in a broad ecological band with Mt. Namsan and Yongsan Park."
The five other ecological parks, including one on Seorae Island, are set to be opened in 2014 at a cost of 71.6 billion won. Their sites have yet to be chosen.
In creating the ecological parks, the city will focus on environment-friendliness, collecting ideas from experts.
As the project is a long term one, some argue that the latest plan is part of Mayor Oh Se-hoon's efforts to win over voters some 300 days before local elections next year.
Currently, there are three eco-parks in Amsa, Gangseo and Godeok, all located on the outskirts of the city.
Amsa and Gangseo parks were renovated in December 2008 and Yeouido Saetgang will reopen in December.
Each of the three parks has been highly successful.
"Amsa Ecological Park has attracted birds such as the spot-billed duck, bean goose and wren after renewal," a city official said. "Gangseo Waterside on the lower Han River is a swampy land which is home to more than 7,500 plants and animals."