Residents, local organizations, and public officials walked together along the forest trails of Deokpunggol in Hanam, promoting health and harmony while rediscovering the natural and historical value of the city’s old downtown area.

The “Deokpunggol Trail Public-Private Harmony Walking Event” was successfully held on August 29 at 10 a.m. in the Deokpunggol area, with about 100 residents and members of local organizations taking part.

[The Korean Today] About 100 residents and public officials participated in the Deokpunggol Trail Public-Private Harmony Walking Event in Hanam. © Reporter Baek Chang-hee

The event was organized by the Walk to Live Association, the Cheongcheong Hanam Senior Association, and the Hanam Senior Model Association, with support from Hanam City and the Deokpung 2-dong Administrative Welfare Center. It was designed to promote residents’ health and strengthen the local community.

Participants included Kim Beom-jun, chairman of the Walk to Live Association; Park Gyu-seop, chairman of the Deokpunggol Guardians Association and Cheongsihoe; Director Kang Hye-sook; presidents and members of various organizations in Deokpung 2-dong; and Kim Gyeong-sil, chairperson of the Hanam Volunteer Association. Park Hyang-chun, head of Deokpung 2-dong, also walked alongside residents, helping create a meaningful setting for communication between the public sector and the community.

Beginning at 9:30 a.m., participants gathered at the entrance stairs to the Deokpunggol hiking trail between Seohae Apartments and KCC Apartments. After registration, introductions, welcoming remarks, and warm-up exercises, the group began the walk.

Participants then walked approximately two kilometers along the Deokpunggol forest trail, experiencing the area’s natural environment and local historical and cultural spaces located close to the city center.

The Deokpunggol trail connects several meaningful locations, including a spring long used by local residents, the Malbawi area, historical and cultural sites, and Cheongsihoe Farm. Walking slowly through the forest, participants had an opportunity to rediscover many features of Deokpunggol that are often overlooked despite being close to home.

[The Korean Today] Citizens walk along the natural earthen trail leading to the Malbawi Fitness Center in Deokpunggol. © Reporter Baek Chang-hee

In particular, the event offered participants a chance not only to enjoy the dense forest and walking trails but also to explore historical sites connected to the local community, helping them discover another side of Hanam’s old downtown area.

Participants were also interested to learn that forest trails, local history, and a community-managed farm all coexist within a short distance of nearby apartment complexes and residential neighborhoods.

One participant said, “Even though I live nearby, I rarely had the chance to walk slowly through Deokpunggol and look around like this. Walking through the forest and meeting neighbors made me realize again what a wonderful place we have in our community.”

Another meaningful aspect of the event was that residents, local volunteer groups, and public administration were naturally connected through the simple act of walking.

Representatives of various local organizations, who have continued volunteer work and community activities in their respective roles, walked together, exchanged greetings, communicated directly with residents, and shared the value of building a healthy local community.

After completing the walk, participants moved to Cheongsihoe Farm, where they shared food and continued spending time together in friendship and harmony.

[The Korean Today] Participants enjoyed complimentary banquet noodles and pumpkin pancakes prepared at Cheongsihoe Farm after the walk. © Reporter Baek Chang-hee

At the farm, participants were served freshly prepared pumpkin pancakes and banquet noodles. Members of the Hoguk Eoullim Art Troupe also volunteered at the event, adding warmth to the atmosphere. Residents sat together with neighbors they had walked with, sharing food and conversation.

The walking event also naturally highlighted the meaning of long-term volunteer work by local residents who have cared for and protected Deokpunggol over the years.

The Deokpunggol Guardians Association, led by Chairman Park Gyu-seop, regularly carries out environmental cleanup activities throughout the Deokpunggol area. Members gather every Saturday from 6 a.m. to 7 a.m. to clean and maintain the spring, trail, park, and surrounding areas, contributing to a cleaner and more pleasant community environment.

These activities go beyond simply collecting litter. They help create a safe environment where residents can walk comfortably while preserving Deokpunggol’s natural landscape as a valuable community asset.

Park Gyu-seop, chairman of the Deokpunggol Guardians Association, said, “Today’s event was not simply about walking the trail. It was an opportunity for citizens to experience the nature, history, and people of Deokpunggol together. We will continue to care for the area so that all Hanam citizens can comfortably visit, walk, rest, and communicate here.”

He added, “Together with our members, we will continue environmental cleanup activities and contribute, even in a small way, to making Hanam a cleaner and better place to live.”

Park Hyang-chun, head of Deokpung 2-dong, also joined residents and local organization members at the event, sharing the view that resident-participation activities based on the local natural environment can lead not only to improved health but also to stronger relationships among neighbors and revitalization of the local community.

The event was especially meaningful because it connected the everyday activity of walking with nature, history, environmental volunteer work, and community sharing. Residents improved their health while walking through the forest, discovered hidden local spaces, and strengthened neighborhood ties by sharing a meal together afterward.

[The Korean Today] About 100 residents and public officials walked together along Hanam’s Deokpunggol Trail, highlighting a local community connected through nature, history, and sharing. © Reporter Baek Chang-hee

Above all, the participation of local organizations, public officials, and residents demonstrated the potential of the Deokpunggol trail to become more than just a walking path. It can serve as a community cultural space connecting the natural environment, local history, and residents of Hanam’s old downtown area.

Local organizations in Deokpunggol plan to continue community activities that combine walking, environmental cleanup, local cultural experiences, and neighborhood sharing, creating a community where nature, history, health, and volunteer service come together.

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