Enjoying summer with water sports
Having a great time at the park’s water facilities
The temperature around midday is already over 25 degrees. Families and couples are heading to the water park to escape the heat of the early summer weather. In Yeonsu-gu of Incheon City, there are more water amusement facilities than any other area, attracting area residents and citizens of Incheon alike.
Songdo Central Park, the lake inside the city
Songdo Central Park is located between Incheon National University Station and Central Park Station on Incheon Subway Line 1. It is a rest area inside the city, with a large artificial lake where people can enjoy all kinds of exciting water sports.
Canadian canoes and kayaks are about 4.5m long, enough for three passengers. A single paddle rowed to the left and right propels the Canadian canoe, which resembles a smallboat. A kayak, on the other hand, moves forward by rowing a double-faced paddle to the left and right in turns. Batterypowered boats are also available, and they are quite suitable for a family of four. The boats are very popular because even children, under the supervision of an adult, can steer them. A Stand Up Paddle Board, or SUP, where people paddle while standing up, is a new sport that provides the thrill of riding a surfboard.
Mr. Park Cheol-hyeon, 38, who came to the park on May 26 said, "I came to the park with my wife and children just to look around. But then we all got into the family boat. I was very excited because the children loved the boat so much. We will go to the park from time to time this summer." It is KRW 25,000 to rent a canoe or kayak for 50 minutes, and KRW 35,000 to rent a family boat for 30 minutes. An SUP is KRW 10,000 for 60 minutes. Rentals are available from 9:30 a.m.
to sunset. (For inquiries: ☎ 070-7189-4609)
Water facilities in parks nearby the neighborhood
Water facilities are installed at Munhwa Park behind Yeonsu Station on the Suin Line and at Busuji Park across from Yeonsu-gu Office. Operated for two months (July and August), the facilities can be used by children between the ages of three and thirteen.
With a capacity for more than 200 people, the water facilities at Munhwa Park include one 3-Dimensional Water Play, one Water Drop, three Water Showers, and one Water Tunnel. The pool is only 15cm deep, and its floor is made of rubber chips to prevent children from being injured even when they fall. The water facilities at Busuji Park also include one Water Drop and one Water Tunnel. Children from Yeonsu-gu can use the facilities for free, making them perfect spots for elementary schools students or younger who can have a great time with their parents. To keep the facilities clean, Yeonsu-gu is planning to change water and conduct cleaning every day. The water facilities of Munhwa Park are open from 11:00 a.m. to 6 p.m. every day, while the water facilities of Busuji Park are open till 4 p.m. Both places are closed every Monday for maintenance.(For inquiries: ☎ 032-749-8690)
Songdo Sports Park, experiencing the inside world of the ocean
The Sports Park is located on the facility site of Songdo LNG Plant. As a place to experience the ocean, the park has swimming pools and a diving pool for experts. The swimming pools include an adult pool with six 25m-long, 1.5m-deep lanes and a children pool with a depth of 60 cm. Compared to private swimming pools, admission is cheap, and it is steadily attracting many visitors. The admission fee for a whole day is KRW 3,000 for adults and 2,000 for children, youths, and elderly people aged 65 years old or older. Ms. Kim, 65, who visits the pool every Sunday commented, "The pool is not that close to where I live, but it doesn't bother me because there is a shuttle bus. Compared to a private swimming pool of this size, the admission fee is very cheap. I've been using this pool for several years now." Meanwhile, the diving pool has a depth of 5m, a length of 25m and a width of 10m.
An underwater mirror is installed on the wall of the pool. Two people as a team can use the diving pool, which is operated in a three time-section system from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. Recharging and air tank rentals are available. The diving pool doesn't provide separate lessons. To use the pool, people with diving certificates should make reservations. The admission fee is KRW 5,000 for a whole day. Shuttle buses are operated starting 8:30 a.m. at Dongmak Station of Incheon Subway Line 1. The park closes every Monday.
(For inquiries: ☎ 032-899-4864)
Writing by Kim Do-yeon · Photo by Hong Seung-hun 899-4864)
