Workation spaces, barrier-free forest trails, and healing programs create an inclusive forest welfare hub.
The Jeju-do Provincial Government is transforming Halla Eco Forest, widely recognized as Korea’s first successful forest restoration project, into a comprehensive forest welfare destination where people of all abilities can enjoy nature, more than two decades after its initial development. The forest was first planned in 1997 as the country’s inaugural ecological forest project, developed between 2000 and 2009, and officially opened in 2009, covering approximately 194 hectares.
The project is now moving into full-scale implementation after being selected for consecutive national funding programs supported by the Korea Forest Service and the Korea Forest Welfare Institute. A total of KRW 1.4 billion will be invested this year to support major facility upgrades and service expansion.
The Halla Eco Forest Visitor Center will undergo remodeling using domestically sourced timber to enhance carbon storage benefits. The center will also introduce forest-based workation facilities, allowing visitors to balance work and relaxation in a natural setting.
Accessibility improvements will further strengthen barrier-free access for visitors with mobility challenges. A new one-kilometer “Barrier-Free Sharing Trail” with a gradient of less than 8 percent will be constructed near the aquatic garden, enabling wheelchair users, older adults, and families with young children to safely enjoy the forest.
Forest welfare services will expand alongside the facility upgrades. In addition to existing forest interpretation programs and children’s forest experiences, customized forest healing programs tailored to different life stages will be fully introduced.
With these enhancements, Halla Eco Forest is expected to evolve beyond a recreational site into a comprehensive forest welfare hub that supports the physical and mental well-being of both residents and visitors.
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Source: Jeju-do Provincial Government© Korea.info