Summer has officially arrived. Each and everyday the stifling heat makes you really look forward to that summer holiday you’ve been thinking of. If you plan on going to the ocean, you must invest a full day. Water parks are expensive. Staying home is hot. A solution to these worries that go round in circles can now be found in Seochang-dong. Namdong-gu has opened a pool (619.89㎡) at Seochang Eoul Neighborhood Park. The pool offers a different level of coolness compared to fountains that have been installed in parks until now. For those who are exhausted from the summer heat, there’s nowhere like this pool for a quick summer retreat.

“Whoaaaa~~”, as the children start shouting, the water starts pouring down. They continue lapping their faces with the cool water they just received. Some children paddle their hands in the water, others just try to run in the water. A fresh breeze blows across your face. You’re reminded once again of the coolness of summer. There are many children filming an imaginary war film shooting water pistols with their friends. The shoes they’ve taken off are arranged somewhat neatly on the side.  
With its wide range of rides, the pool at Seochang Eoul Neighborhood Park differentiates itself from other normal pools. Most notable is a water slide and a tipping waterfall you can normally see at water parks. A bowl full of water above ground tips, water falls down like a waterfall, and children gather underneath to welcome the water and summer. Children have a million different poses when they ride the water slide. Each children enjoys the ride in their own way. Sometimes they sit, sometimes they lie down, sometimes they turn backwards, or they lie on their belly and charge forward as if they were superman. In addition, the pool is full of features that children can enjoy including slippery slopes, suspended ladders, tunnels that shoot jets of water. Unlike water parks that are tailored to adults, this pool has rides that are lower therefore safer. It is perfect for children to come and play.

 

Kim Sol-ji (alias, 30s, Namdong-gu) who visited the pool with her child said, “I like it because it is convenient to come with my family. My baby is too young to go in deep water even if I go to a water park. Here, I can relax and play with my baby. The water is shallow, and the facilities are just as great as water parks.” and expressed her satisfaction.
 
 
Last summer, there was a safety accident involving a child at a fountain. This incident occurred because fountains were being used as play facilities during the summer. There are no such safety concerns with the pool at Seochang Eoul Neighborhood Park. Lifeguards and first aid personnel are always on duty. Lifeguards wearing red caps are always standing by next to the facilities and stop children exhibiting dangerous behaviour, and they ensure people follow the rules according to safety procedures. If someone falls over and gets injured, they can receive medical treatment at the first aid booth built just outside the pool area. Thanks to these precautions, children and their parents can keep their worries at bay. There is no need for parents to hound their children and worry. They can sit back in a shade canopy or tent and enjoy their time in other ways.
Also, the pool floor is safe because it uses soft rubber materials. However, you must be careful not to slip because of the water. Since the facility is used by children, the Park takes extreme care to manage the pool hygienically by changing the pool’s water everyday. The pool is filled with safe tap water.
  This summer, how about visiting the cool and safe Seochang Eoul Neighborhood Park?
The pool will be open until August 31, and opening hours are from 11:00am to 6:00pm. The pool is closed on Mondays for regular cleaning and on rainy days.
 
★Before you go!! There are other water parks you can enjoy for free in Incheon just like the pool at Seochang-dong.
Here are some pools that could be nearby your neighborhood.
 
Seochang Eoul Neighborhood Park pool
- Location : 101 Seochangnam-ro Namdong-gu
- Opening hours : 11:00am ~ 6:00pm, closed on Mondays (open until August 31)
- Inquiries : Park Management Team, Parkss & Greenery Department, Namdong-gu Office ☎453-2850
 
Yeonsu-gu Busuji Park pool
- Location : Park behind Hanyang 1-cha Xi Apartments building no. 103 across Yeonsu-gu Office
(Please use Yeonsu-gu office or Dongchun 3-dong Resident Center for parking)
- Opening hours : 11:00am~4:00pm (closed on rainy days and Mondays)
- Admission : Children up to 13 years old can use the pool. Children up to 7 years old must be accompanied by a guardian
 
Yeonsu-gu Culture Park pool
- Location : Culture Park adjacent to Youngnam Spolex
- Opening hours : 11:00am ~ 6:00pm (closed on rainy days and Mondays)
 
Bupyeong-gu Galsan pool
- Location : In front of Galsan Ian Apartments building no. 102 near Galsan station (line no. 1) exit no. 1
- Opening hours : 10:00am~5:00pm (closed on rainy days and Mondays)
 
Bupyeong-gu Cheongcheon pool
- Location : Across Inhyang Apartments, San 4-6, Cheongcheon-dong, Bupyeong-gu
(Please take bus no. 722 or 551 and get off at Cheongcheon-dong Inhyang Apartments)
- Opening hours : 10:00am~5:00pm (closed on rainy days and Mondays)
 
Dong-gu Songhyeon Park pool
- Location : Inside Songhyeon Park, 163 Songhyeon-dong, Dong-gu
- Opening hours : 11:00am~5:00pm (closed on rainy days and Mondays)
- Admission : Children between 24 months old and 6th grade in primary school
 
 
Cha Ji-eun I-View reporter minsable@hanmail.net
Source : Incheon city internet newspaper