A Green Comma Found in Geumjeong-gu, Busan: A Peaceful Afternoon at Spo1 Park (Spo1 Park)

An 88,000-Pyeong Forest Where the Wind Lingers, Spo1 Park (Spo1 Park)

On a weekend when the sunshine was exceptionally clear, I visited Spo1 Park located on Cheyukgongwon-ro, Geumjeong-gu, Busan. The Geumjeong Sports Park (Geumjeong Cheyukgongwon), which held the excitement of the 2002 Asian Games, has now become our peaceful sanctuary. As soon as I entered, the fresh scent of grass exhaled by 400,000 trees tickled my nose. Thanks to the vast flat land of 88,000 pyeong, I felt a sense of openness wherever I looked.

Following the sound of rustling leaves, I saw the waterfront plaza (subyeon gwangjang). The clouds and sky reflected on the water were like a watercolor painting, so I stopped for a moment to stare blankly at the scenery. Since you can set up a picnic mat or a small tent here to enjoy some leisure time, the laughter of families who brought sandwiches and sweet couples blooms throughout the park.

Refreshing Energy Gained Through Movement

For those who find walking alone a bit lacking, there is no space as diverse as this one. The jogging path and bicycle path that stretch long along the park's perimeter were great for enjoying a ride. Pedaling a bicycle rented from the first floor of the tennis stadium (tennis gyeonggijang), the cool breeze brushed against my cheeks, and I felt it couldn't be any more refreshing.

Indoor spaces are also very substantial. At the sports center, you can fill yourself with vibrant energy regardless of the season, from swimming to fitness and golf. At the main stadium (ju gyeonggijang), which is also the home stadium of the BNK Sum women's basketball team, you can sometimes feel the heated excitement. If you are with children, it is also good to visit the Disaster Safety Experience Center (jaenan anjeon cheheomjang) or the Children's Traffic Land (eorini gyotongnara). It is a fruitful setup where you can catch both education and play, so parents' footsteps never stop.

A Weekend Spent Slowly or Vigorously

Spo1 Park is a place whose charm changes depending on the speed at which you spend your time. You can ride a bike fast, go around the perimeter, and sweat, or you can spread a mat under the shade of a tree, lie down, and watch the sunshine breaking through the leaves. In the late afternoon, even the lively sounds coming from the velodrome (gyeongnyunjang) added to the vitality of the place.

To find your way, you can easily arrive by entering 324, Cheyukgongwon-ro 399-beon-gil, Geumjeong-gu into your navigation system. Because the forest is wide, it is good to visit in any season, but I think the afternoons in spring and autumn, when the wind blows coolly throughout the park, are the most peaceful. A place where you can look around and rest slowly, at the speed of your own heart; this weekend, try taking a comma for yourself at Spo1 Park.

[Visit Tips]

• The bicycle rental shop is located on the first floor of the tennis stadium (tennis gyeonggijang).
• If you bring a small tent or a picnic mat, you can spend a much more comfortable time on the lawn.
• The parking lot can be crowded on weekend afternoons, so I recommend leaving a little early.