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Shinan-gun held the 2024 Garden Culture Promotion Committee meeting. Shinan-gun announced on the 19th that it held an appointment ceremony for members of the 2nd Shinan-gun Garden Culture Promotion Committee and held the first meeting in 2024.
This meeting was held by forming the Garden Culture Promotion Committee in accordance with the ordinance on fostering and supporting garden cities and garden culture industries in Shinan-gun, which was enacted to create a ‘beautiful Shinan with an evergreen ecological environment’, which is the policy of the military government.
The committee consisted of 12 people, including Professor Park Seok-gon of the Department of Landscape Architecture at Suncheon National University. We plan to set Shinan-gun garden policy and direction for the next two years and conduct systematic policy review and consultation to enhance the brand value of 1004 Island Garden.
The main agenda was the submitted gardening social cooperative support plan, which included advisory opinions on conducting regular training to secure technical skills for farmers and expanding smart nursery facilities appropriate to the circumstances of Shinan-gun. Other matters related to registration of changes to local gardens, registration of personal gardens, landscape agriculture and landscape reforestation projects, and training and operation of garden interpreters were also discussed in depth.
Park Woo-ryang, mayor of Shinan County, said, “The 1004 Island Garden is a differentiated garden created by all 40,000 residents by redefining the philosophy and values of urban forest gardens mentioned by Frederick Law Olmsted, the designer of New York’s Central Park in 1859, in a modern way. “We will actively reflect the committee’s suggestions in the military administration and pursue a leading garden policy,” he said.
Shinan-gun is creating gardens and forest paths in 36 locations in 14 towns and villages with the goal of creating the world’s largest island garden.
Meanwhile, Shinan-gun Family Center Joint Parenting Sharing Center will be holding a creativity-boosting children’s art play program for children aged 5 to 7 from November 16th to November 30th (every Saturday) from 10 am to 11:30 am.
This program was planned with the support of the Shinhan Financial Hope Foundation and consisted of art activities to help children develop their creativity through a variety of topics over a total of three sessions.
In the first session, under the theme ‘This is how I draw the autumn forest!’, children freely expressed the colors and images of autumn and included their own experiences and thoughts in their drawings. Children drew pictures on a flat surface and in three-dimensional space. By placing it in the space, I naturally experienced the space composition ability and the concept of overlap.
The second session is a class combining science and art called ‘Bubbling Magma, Acidic Water, and Calcium,’ and an experiment is conducted to create a bubbling volcano using foaming vitamins. Through this, children can imagine the landscape of the dinosaur era, engage in creative activities with various art materials, and develop their sense of exploration and imagination.
In the 3rd session, ‘Making ice skates and skating toys’, students will express the seasonal characteristics of winter by making their own skating toys under the theme of winter sports. The class ends with experiences through play, such as stimulating the sense of touch using various materials such as flour and salt, and creatively recreating winter scenes.
Mr. Park**, a parent who participated in this program, said, “I was happy to see my child expressing himself, collaborating, and gaining confidence through art play. “I wish there was a space called Shinan-gun Joint Childcare Sharing Center to continue to offer useful programs like this,” he said, expressing great satisfaction with the classes that provide both enjoyment and learning to children.
Shinan-gun Family Center plans to actively operate various programs that help children develop their creativity and senses by expanding them to towns and villages.
Economy Queen reporter Choi Hana photo Shinan-gun
How can community members in Shinan-gun participate in the 1004 Island Garden initiative?
Interview between Time.news Editor and Professor Park Seok-gon
Editor: Welcome, Professor Park Seok-gon, and thank you for joining us today. You recently participated in the appointment ceremony for the Shinan-gun Garden Culture Promotion Committee. Can you share more about the committee’s goals and your vision for the next two years?
Professor Park: Thank you for having me! The Garden Culture Promotion Committee’s primary goal is to enhance the ecological environment and aesthetic value of Shinan-gun. Our aim is to develop a sustainable garden policy that reflects the unique character of the region, ultimately contributing to the creation of what we’re calling the 1004 Island Garden. We’re looking to implement systematic reviews of our policies and practices to ensure we’re making informed decisions that resonate with the residents and the environment.
Editor: That sounds like an ambitious project. With 40,000 residents actively involved, how do you envision community engagement in this initiative?
Professor Park: Community involvement is essential. The 1004 Island Garden is not just a project for the committee; it’s a collective effort where the ideas and philosophies of all residents are integrated. We are drawing inspiration from the urban forest gardens championed by Frederick Law Olmsted, adapting those values to fit our modern context. By hosting workshops and training sessions, we aim to equip residents with the skills they need to actively participate in gardening and conservation efforts.
Editor: You mentioned training for farmers and the expansion of smart nursery facilities. Can you elaborate on how these aspects tie into your overall strategy for garden culture promotion?
Professor Park: Certainly! One of our significant initiatives is the establishment of a gardening social cooperative support plan. This plan includes regular training sessions focused on cultivating technical skills among farmers, enabling them to embrace innovative techniques. Smart nursery facilities will help facilitate this by offering resources and technologies tailored to local conditions. Our goal is to ensure that our agricultural practices are sustainable and efficient, allowing us to maximize the potential of Shinan-gun’s unique climate and landscape.
Editor: It’s fascinating to witness such a thoughtful approach to community gardening. Besides gardening, what role do you think art and culture play in promoting a garden city?
Professor Park: Art and culture are vital! They create a sense of identity and pride within the community. For instance, the children’s art program you mentioned, designed to boost creativity, is an important aspect of our outreach. By encouraging young minds to connect with nature through art, we foster a deeper appreciation for their environment. This connection can inspire future generations to engage in gardening and conservation efforts as part of their cultural identity.
Editor: That brings us to the artistic endeavors currently taking place in Shinan-gun. How do you see the relationship between gardening and artistic expression evolving in your upcoming projects?
Professor Park: Gardening is an art form in itself. When we create gardens, we are crafting living artworks that change with the seasons. We plan to incorporate artistic elements into our gardens, perhaps through sculptures or themed planting designs that resonate with local history and narratives. By collaborating with artists, we can create spaces that not only beautify our surroundings but also serve as reflections of our community’s story.
Editor: Your efforts seem to embody a holistic approach to urban gardening. As you look ahead, what challenges do you anticipate, and how do you plan to address them?
Professor Park: One of the significant challenges will be balancing development with environmental preservation. As we aim for Shinan-gun to become the world’s largest island garden, we must ensure that our growth does not lead to overexploitation of resources or displacement of local species. To address this, we will reference ecological studies, invite environmentalists to share their insights, and prioritize sustainable practices in all our endeavors.
Editor: Thank you, Professor Park. Your insights into garden culture and community engagement are truly inspiring. As Shinan-gun embarks on this ambitious journey, we hope to see the positive impacts take shape over the next few years.
Professor Park: Thank you for the opportunity to share our vision. We are excited about the path ahead and look forward to building a greener, more connected community!