Naepo New City, South Korea - A remarkable initiative to transform the Hongye Park in Naepo New City into a world-class landmark is gaining significant momentum, thanks to the overwhelming support of the Chungnam provincial community. The 'Citizen Participation Forest' project, envisioned as a collaborative effort by 2.2 million residents, celebrated a major milestone on April 3rd with a ceremony held at Hongye Park. The event marked the official handover of donation funds and a symbolic tree planting, highlighting the collective spirit driving this ambitious endeavor.

An impressive total of 4.6 billion Korean Won has been contributed by 325 corporations, organizations, and individuals, both within and outside Chungnam Province. These generous donations are injecting vital life into Hongye Park, fueling the dream of creating a renowned public space that will attract visitors from across the globe.

The donation ceremony and tree planting event were attended by approximately 100 dignitaries, including Chungnam Provincial Governor Kim Tae-heum, NH NongHyup Bank Chungnam Headquarters President Park Jang-soon, Chungnam Provincial Saemaeul Association Chairman Sung Nak-gu, TJB Woosung Cultural Foundation President Han Jae-gyu, and Chungnam Development Council Chairman Jeon Young-hwan.

The proceedings included a progress report on the project, the official presentation of donation funds followed by commemorative photographs, and a symbolic tree planting ceremony where key figures participated in the first shovelfuls of soil.

Notable cash donations announced at the event included:

NH NongHyup Bank Chungnam Headquarters: 100 million KRW (cumulative total: 470 million KRW)
Chungnam Provincial Saemaeul Association: 50 million KRW
TJB Woosung Cultural Foundation: 40 million KRW
National Forestry Cooperative Federation Daejeon, Sejong, Chungnam Headquarters: 42 million KRW (cumulative total: 142 million KRW)
Korea Construction Association Chungnam & Sejong City Branch: 32 million KRW (cumulative total: 67 million KRW)
Chungnam Development Council: 17 million KRW
Special Advisor for Women and Youth Policy of Chungnam Province: 5.2 million KRW
Korea Professional Construction Association Chungnam & Sejong City Branch: 5 million KRW (cumulative total: 10 million KRW)
Boogi Landscaping: 5 million KRW (cumulative total: 7 million KRW)
Korean Federation of Women Farmers Associations Chungnam Chapter: 2 million KRW (cumulative total: 3 million KRW)
Daeji Development: 2 million KRW
Gangdong Landscaping: 2 million KRW
In addition to monetary contributions, the project has also received significant in-kind donations, demonstrating the diverse ways the community is rallying behind the initiative:

Rotary International District 3620: 200 park benches
Daejeon Chungnam Forest for Life: Soil improvement materials worth 50 million KRW
Daeji Development: Soil improvement materials worth 10 million KRW
Baek Song-namu (White Pine) tree: Donated by Baek Gyu-hyeon, Intangible Cultural Heritage No. 18 of Chungnam Province (Small Woodwork)
Willow tree: Donated by Shidae Ilbo (a local newspaper)
Two Cornus kousa (Korean Dogwood) trees: Donated by the Jaeil Chungcheong Association (an association of Chungcheong residents in Japan)
Fifteen Zelkova serrata (Japanese Zelkova) trees: Donated by Hongseong-gun Forestry Cooperative
Five Hydrangea paniculata 'Pink Velvet' shrubs: Donated by Dawon Botanical Garden
Moss: Donated by Cheongheung Mushroom Farming Association, a member of the Korea Sawdust Shiitake Growers Association
Malus domestica 'Flower' (Flowering Apple) and Chaenomeles sinensis (Chinese Quince) trees: One each, donated by Apple Tree Flower
One Zelkova serrata (Japanese Zelkova) tree: Donated by Gongju City Forestry Cooperative
As of the ceremony, the total cumulative donations, including both cash and in-kind contributions, reached an impressive 4,596.48 million KRW.

Governor Kim Tae-heum expressed his profound gratitude to the participating corporations and organizations, stating, "I envisioned Hongye Park becoming a landmark that our future generations can be proud of, much like New York's Central Park. During the remodeling process, we decided that creating the park's core element, the 'forest,' through citizen donations and participation would make it even more meaningful. That's how the Citizen Participation Forest began."

He further added, "While the trees may be young and some areas still need planting, I am confident that with proper nurturing and the completion of civil engineering and the placement of artistic structures, it will transform into a magnificent space. Based on this Citizen Participation Forest, Chungnam will complete the prestigious Hongye Park."

Governor Kim also outlined broader plans for the area, saying, "We plan to expand the park to include Yongbongsan and Suamsan mountains, as well as the provincial government complex. Within this expanded area, we envision incorporating various cultural facilities such as art museums, a concert hall, and a kids' park. Our goal is to create a park where culture and art thrive in harmony with nature, ultimately enhancing the quality of life and becoming a renowned destination."

The Citizen Participation Forest project aims to plant over 1,000 trees in Hongye Park, funded by donations from individuals, institutions, and organizations. The initiative also includes the installation of sculptures, landscaping features, and recreational facilities, all as part of a larger effort to elevate Hongye Park into a premier public space.

The revitalization of Hongye Park was initiated in the 8th popularly elected government due to concerns regarding poor tree growth and mortality, as well as a lack of adequate amenities. The goal is to redefine the park's role as a leading representative public space in Chungnam Province.

The master plan for the Hongye Park enhancement focuses on strengthening the unique characteristics of three distinct zones: the Byulbit Jamiwon (Starlight Rest Garden), Hongye Hills, and Family Park. The plans include the creation of cafes, waterfront paths, and specialized themed gardens.

The Byulbit Jamiwon area will feature various waterside experiences, including paths that traverse over, along, and even under the water. The surrounding area will be adorned with hydrangea and wildflower gardens.

Hongye Hills will become a vibrant hub for community activities with the creation of the Hongye Madang (plaza) for performances and exhibitions, along with scenic walking trails and the Hongye Rest Area offering panoramic views of Naepo New City.

The Family Park will be transformed into a comprehensive recreational space for all ages, featuring the Suam Falls and Stream, a Water Pool Lounge, and an Adventure Forest complete with a greenhouse.

Chungnam Province has commenced the full-scale development of the Hongye Park enhancement project with the goal of completion by the first half of next year. As part of this undertaking, public access to the park has been restricted since last month, with the exception of a portion of the Jamiwon area. This temporary closure is necessary to facilitate the construction and landscaping work required to bring the vision of a revitalized Hongye Park to fruition.