The Hoengseong Samil Park Urban Forest in Gangwon State has been selected as one of the 'Top 50 Beautiful Urban Forests' by the Korea Forest Service. Urban forests are known to reduce the average daytime temperature in summer by about 3 to 7 degrees Celsius compared to city centers, and increase the average humidity by 9 to 23%. They help mitigate the urban heat island effect and are effective in lowering fine dust by an average of 25.
6% and ultrafine dust by an average of 40.9%. The Korea Forest Service selected the 'Top 50 Beautiful Urban Forests' to widely promote the value of urban forests as havens for citizens and to highlight the various roles and functions of urban forests developed in cities.
The Korea Forest Service evaluated 916 urban forests across the country, which were recommended by local governments and citizens, based on criteria such as public preference, accessibility, ecological health, usage level, aesthetic value, and uniqueness. From this evaluation, 50 urban forests were selected as finalists. The 50 selected urban forests are categorized into five types based on their roles and functions: ▷ Climate Change Mitigation ▷ Economic Impact Enhancement ▷ Aesthetic Improvement ▷ Resident Health Promotion ▷ Community Participation.
Hoengseong Samil Park Urban Forest, which promotes physical activity and relieves stress, is a resident health promotion urban forest that is safely and conveniently accessible to all citizens. To celebrate this selection, a visitor event will be held on-site from August 8 to September 8. Participants will have a chance to win gift certificates and other prizes through a drawing Ahn Jung-ki, Director of the Forest and Environmental Bureau of Gangwon State, stated, “Samil Park Urban Forest will provide a comfortable resting place for residents and will continue to be managed as an urban forest that promotes residents' health.
Additionally, we will strive to make it a renowned attraction in Gangwon State.”.
