Special Feature Suwon City's 'Special Summer Vacation Programs'...Children Having a Great Time

[News S=Reporter Jung Jun-seong] Summer vacation is approaching. For those who have been looking forward to it but haven't made solid plans yet, concerns may be mounting. However, Suwon residents need not worry. Suwon City has prepared diverse attractions and programs so that happy laughter from children can be heard throughout the neighborhoods. We introduce ways to spend the vacation affordably and meaningfully, instead of experiencing congested roads and large crowds during peak season.

◇Concentrated Operation of Saebit Children's Water Park and Swimming Facilities

Starting from the 21st, the 'Saebit Children's Water Park' will open at Suwon Olympic Park for four weeks, where children can safely enjoy water play in the heart of Suwon.

It is a mini water park with two large air pools and slides 3.5 meters high, along with two small pools and 2.5-meter slides, allowing children on summer vacation to enjoy water play to their heart's content.

Suwon City has installed convenience facilities such as shower rooms and changing rooms, and safety managers are stationed at each pool to ensure convenient use.

The Saebit Children's Water Park is free, making it even more enjoyable. It will operate six days a week, Tuesday through Sunday, until August 23rd, from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.

It operates for 50 minutes starting at the top of each hour and takes a 10-minute break.

It is closed on Mondays and rainy days. However, to allow more citizens to use it, it will remain open on August 17th, a public holiday, and closed the following day.

In particular, Suwon City hosts events every Saturday that families can enjoy together.

From 2 p.m., stage programs including magic shows, recreational activities, and balloon bubble shows continue for approximately one and a half hours.

Associated events such as clowns making magic balloons before and after the programs can provide children with special memories.

Local swimming facilities are also easily accessible. Operating in July and August, they open daily from the 21st onward, except Mondays, throughout the vacation period.

From 11 a.m. to 6 p.m., they operate for 45 minutes followed by 15-minute breaks—just enjoy the cool refreshment.

There are a total of 18 swimming pools. △Jangan-gu 4 locations (Jeongja-dong Noru Madang Children's Park / Cheoncheon-dong Saemnae Park / Songjuk-dong Manseok Park / Ilwol-ro Ilwol Lake Park) △Gwonseon-gu 6 locations (Gwonseon-dong Gwonseon Park, Majung Park, Sandeul Children's Park / Geumgok-dong Maehwa Park / Seryu-dong Whale Adventure Children's Park / Dangsu-dong Dangsu Sports Park) △Paldal-gu 1 location (Hwaseo-dong Sukji Park) △Yeongtong-gu 7 locations (Mangpo-dong Bangdeuk Park, Jisung Park, Mangpo Sports Park / Uiy-dong Mulbong Sun Children's Park, Whale Back Children's Park / Yeongtong-dong Yeongtong Sageun Neighborhood Park / Maetan-dong Maeyeoul Park).

Additionally, Suwon City's 29 floor fountain facilities are being intensively operated during the vacation period. By using nearby water play facilities, children can spend their summer vacation healthily and refreshingly.

◇Closest Travel: Our Neighborhood Park Programs

Enjoying a light picnic-style trip in nature is also possible in Suwon. Using programs at arboretums, forest experience centers, and nearby parks is ideal.

Diverse programs are planned so children can make the most of their summer vacation.

The two Suwon Arboretums feature various exhibitions to overcome summer heat.

Ilwol Arboretum is inspired by Thumbelina, while Yeonghung Arboretum is inspired by Hansel and Gretel—opportunities to enjoy the arboretum through fairy tales.

Additionally, a special experience is possible where village names in Suwon featuring trees and natural scenery, as well as the pine tree, Suwon's designated tree, are encountered through fragrance.

There is also a special program at Seoul National University Arboretum to explore normally restricted forests while listening to cicada sounds.

This is an eco-experience where families with children ages 5-10 spend about two hours accompanying a forest guide.

It runs until August 14th at 10:30 a.m. and 2:30 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday. Participants can join after pre-registering on the Suwon City Hall integrated reservation website.

Suwon Infant Forest Experience Centers (Yeolim Park, Sukji Park, Squirrel, Firefly, Gwanggyo Lake Park) operate weekend family programs.

Try reserving programs such as 'Summer Sound Walk,' where diverse sounds are encountered in the forest, and 'Finding the Secrets of Summer Nights,' exploring insects and constellations at night.

Programs can be registered on the Suwon City integrated reservation website.

Using one of four urban park picnic zones being pilot-operated this year is also recommended.

Shade tarps approximately 2.5m×3.0m in size can be set up at picnic zones in Gwanggyo Park, Olympic Park, Seoho Park, and Gwanggyo Lake Park.

From July to August, they are available from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m., making it ideal for leisurely summer evenings.

Meanwhile, Haewoojae, a toilet culture exhibition hall that children find delightful, is hosting the 'Golden Poop Drawing Festival' contest.

After registering on the website, bring personal art supplies, visit Haewoojae, and receive drawing paper at the second-floor office.

Simply draw freely at any outdoor park and submit on the same day to complete participation.

It is divided into preschool and elementary school divisions with an application period until September 20th, so visit at your convenience and show off your skills while also viewing the exhibition.

◇Enjoying Exhibitions and Performances for a Cool Indoor Summer

Diverse performances, experiences, and exhibitions in cool indoor spaces are available to escape the heat.

For families interested in performances, a special musical unique to Suwon is recommended.

The original martial arts musical '1790' at the Jeongjo Theme Performance Hall located in Haenggung-dong is an opportunity to experience a unique performance.

Based on 'Muyedobotongji,' a Joseon-era military martial arts manual, a time-transcending adventure story unfolds as a fantasy action musical.

The dynamic movements of Muyae 24ki and Taekwondo create abundant visual splendor, making it a high-level performance satisfying to both children and adults.

From August 8th to 29th, it runs every Saturday at 3 p.m. and 8 p.m. with all seats priced at 10,000 won, available for reservation through Nol Interpark Ticket.

Suwon Gwanggyo Museum has prepared a refreshing cool-down special experience program.

It is the special program 'Chilling Cool-Down Special' for elementary students scheduled for four days from the 11th to 14th at 10 a.m. and 2 p.m.

Participants engage in experiences and craft activities with storytelling that fuses history and science and technology with local cultural heritage.

Up to 24 participants can join per session, with first-come-first-served registration opening at 10 a.m. on the 24th on the Suwon Museum integrated reservation service website.

Suwon Museum has prepared the summer vacation special course 'Subak-ah, What Are You Doing in Summer?'

Experience activities can be enjoyed with food and cooking as themes. Galbi and pajeon keychains (August 4·11), Hwaseong Cookie House baking (August 5·12), watermelon and traditional crafts (August 6·13) are held.

Register starting at 10 a.m. on the 27th on the Suwon Museum integrated reservation service website.

There is also a recommendation for children interested in movies: the 'Suwon's Films, Suwon's Theaters' exhibition being held on the first floor of the Open Cultural Space Huseo.

With Suwon as the theme, visitors can enjoy King Jeongjo, Women of Suwon, Spaces of Suwon, and the history of Suwon's theaters.

Additionally, the Suwon Media Center in Nam-su-dong screens the animated film Moana at 10:30 a.m. on the 30th, and independent films and other works can also be enjoyed.

However, checking the screening schedule on the website is essential.

Meanwhile, Suwon City Library has prepared summer reading classes to foster reading habits and summer vacation special courses for diverse experiential and learning activities—summer vacation reading culture programs.

By checking program details and schedules for each library on the Suwon City Library integrated reservation system and registering, one can enjoy a nearby library as a summer vacation retreat.

A Suwon City official stated, "We have prepared refreshing water play facilities so that children's laughter can fill this summer vacation," adding, "We hope all citizens enjoy a healthy and supported summer."