{{short description|Ecological park in Seoul, South Korea}} {{Infobox park | name = World Cup Park | image = World-Cup-Park.jpg | image_caption = | image_size = 280 | coordinates = | mapframe-zoom = 13 | location = [[Seongsan-dong]], [[Mapo District]], [[Seoul]], South Korea] | area = {{convert|857|acre|abbr=on}}{{citation needed|date=December 2016}} | visitation_num = Approximately 9.8 million | visitation_year = 2012 | operator = Seoul Metropolitan Government | established = May 1, 2002 | website = [http://worldcuppark.seoul.go.kr/index.html Official Website] }}
'''World Cup Park''' ({{Korean|hangul=월드컵공원}}) is an [[ecological]] park built in Sangamdong-gil, in [[Seoul]], South Korea. The park was established on May 1, 2002 in anticipation of the [[2002 FIFA World Cup|2002 Korea-Japan World Cup Games]].
World Cup Park is subdivided into five parks: '''Pyeonghwa Park''' ('''Peace Park'''), '''Haneul Park''' ('''Sky Park'''), '''Noeul Park''' ('''Sunset Park'''), '''Nanjicheon Park''', and '''Hangang Riverside Park'''.<ref name="World Cup Park">{{cite web|title=World Cup Park|url=http://www.visitkorea.or.kr/enu/SI/SI_EN_3_1_1_1.jsp?cid=264454|publisher=Korea Be Inspired|accessdate=9 November 2013}}</ref><ref name="Official Site">{{cite web|title=About Nanji|url=http://ebook.seoul.go.kr/web_http/form/r7EmailOpen.php?guid=SC0RL895W5|publisher=Official Site|accessdate=9 November 2013}}</ref>
The park is mostly composed of the former island '''Nanjido''' ({{Korean|hangul=난지도|hanja=蘭芝島|lit=orchid island}}). That island was joined to the mainland in 1977.
== Sub-parks ==
=== Pyeonghwa (Peace) Park === Located on the opposite side of [[Seoul World Cup Stadium]], it is the main park of World Cup Park created to commemorate the [[2002 FIFA World Cup|2002 Korea-Japan World Cup Games]]. Its name was given to symbolize world peace and unity. There is [[UNICEF]] Plaza, Nanji Pond, Peace Park, Hope Forest, and the World Cup Park Museum.<ref name="Official Site" /><ref name="World Cup Park" />
=== Haneul Park === Like its name Haneul, which means sky in [[Korean language|Korean]], the park is situated at World Cup Park's highest point. The Haneul stairs consist of 291 stairs and have become a tourist attraction. Situated at the highest point in World Cup Park, there are observation points on the sloping sides of the park.
=== Noeul Park === The park contains wild animals such as deer, wildcats and [[raccoons]]. There is a [[sculpture]] park which is a themed space with nature and cultural art works displayed on green lawns.<ref name="Visit Seoul">{{cite web|title=Seoul World Cup Park|url=http://www.visitseoul.net/en/article/article.do?_method=view&m=0004003002017&p=03&art_id=606&lang=en|publisher=Visit Seoul|accessdate=9 November 2013}}</ref><ref name="World Cup Park" />
=== Nanjicheon Park === Nanjicheon Park was built along the Nanji Stream, which flowed under the Haneul Park. The stream was filled with sewage but it is now purified. It has an outdoor stage and various sports facilities.
=== Hangang Riverside Park (Nanji Area) === Hangang Riverside Park was built on the banks of [[Han River (Korea)]]. It has [[soccer]] field, [[basketball]] court, grass field, [[River cruise]] ship port, and an area for nature-studies.<ref name="World Cup Park" />
== History ==
The park's area was once the islet Nanjido. [[Peanut]]s and [[millet]] were cultivated on this land.<ref name="Official Site" /> Construction began on an [[Embankment dam|embankment]] for the island on January 7, 1977. As a result of this work, the island joined the mainland.<ref name=":2">{{Cite web |script-title=ko:난지도 생태공원화 : 쓰레기매립지에서 생태공원으로 |url=https://seoulsolution.kr/ko/content/%EB%82%9C%EC%A7%80%EB%8F%84-%EC%83%9D%ED%83%9C%EA%B3%B5%EC%9B%90%ED%99%94-%EC%93%B0%EB%A0%88%EA%B8%B0%EB%A7%A4%EB%A6%BD%EC%A7%80%EC%97%90%EC%84%9C-%EC%83%9D%ED%83%9C%EA%B3%B5%EC%9B%90%EC%9C%BC%EB%A1%9C |access-date=June 11, 2024 |website=Seoul Solution}}</ref>
Between 1978 and 1993, Nanjido was used as a municipal landfill for Seoul. By the end of its use, it had accumulated a large amount of waste. Work was then performed to reduce the environmental impact of the waste disposed of there.<ref name=":1">{{Citation |last=이 |first=의한 |script-title=ko:난지도 (蘭芝島) |work=[[Encyclopedia of Korean Culture]] |url=https://encykorea.aks.ac.kr/Article/E0011718 |access-date=2024-06-11 |publisher=[[Academy of Korean Studies]] |language=ko}}</ref> A wide variety of techniques, including waterproof barriers, methane gas collection, and the planting of plants, were employed. Collected gas is reportedly burned for heating.<ref name=":2" />
These efforts have reportedly been successful. Plants and animals have moved back onto the land,<ref name=":2" /> and there are now five different public parks that host 9.8 million visitors per year. The five parks are equipped with conservation facilities for further revival of diversified ecological system.<ref name=":0">{{Cite web |last= |first= |date= |script-title=ko:난지도 |trans-title=Nanjido |url=https://terms.naver.com/entry.nhn?cid=40942&docId=1074747&categoryId=33136 |archive-url= |archive-date= |access-date=2019-05-24 |website=terms.naver.com |language=ko}}</ref><ref name=":1" />
==Gallery== <gallery mode=packed heights=140px> File:Pyeonghwa (Peace) Park.jpg|Pyeonghwa (Peace) Park in World Cup Park File:Haneul-Park.jpg|Reeds of the Haneul Park File:Haneul-Park--reeds.jpg|reeds File:Noeul Park.jpg|Noeul Park in World Cup Park File:Nanjicheon-Park.jpg|Nanjicheon Park </gallery>
== References == {{reflist}}
== External links == * http://english.visitkorea.or.kr/enu/ATR/SI_EN_3_1_1_1.jsp?cid=264454 - Tour guide by [[Korea Tourism Organization]], Visitkorea {{commons category|World Cup Park, Seoul}}
{{Seoul parks}}
[[Category:Mapo District]] [[Category:Parks in Seoul]]