Although the start of fall has passed, the heatwave continues with temperatures still exceeding 30 degrees Celsius.
In Jeonju, a variety of activities are underway to help residents manage the heat.

I’m excited to share about the Love Ice Cream Fridge and Seohak Plaza Fountain in Dongseohak-dong, Jeonju.
Summer Stories from Seohak-dong

 

“The Love Ice Cream Fridge & Seohak Plaza Ground Fountain in Dongseohak-dong”

 

| Dongseohak-dong Community Center – The Love Ice Cream Fridge.

The Dongseohak-dong Community Center also functions as a shelter from the extreme summer heat and winter cold.

At this location, the Dongseohak-dong Community Council provides free ice cream to visitors at the community center through the “Love Ice Cream Fridge.”

The Love Ice Cream initiative began with the aim of providing a refreshing treat to visitors at the community center and has continued because of its popularity.
As it gains more recognition, it has also received support from local residents.

The Love Ice Cream Fridge has been operational since 2018 and runs annually from July to September, currently in its seventh year.
Even though it’s now summer vacation, during the school term, the place is bustling like a marketplace for kids.

Not just ice cream, but chilled bottled water and ice water are also freely available.
Many nostalgic ice creams that were favorites during childhood are also offered.

After participating in community center programs, individuals often enjoy an ice cream to cool off.
Each summer, many people eagerly anticipate the opening of the ice cream fridge.
I hope the Love Ice Cream Fridge continues for many years as a beloved shelter from the heat.

Recently, I visited the newly operated ground fountain at Seohak Plaza with my children, which provides a refreshing escape for the city’s residents.
‘Seohak-dong’ translates to a beautiful area where cranes live, which is evident from the landscape sculptures depicting cranes and their eggs that you can see there.
Seohak Plaza was established in 2012 as a transportation hub for the southern region of Jeonju.

At Seohak Plaza Park, there are stone steps designed to represent the wings of a crane, sculptures symbolizing crane feathers, and a variety of seasonally changing flowers.

The ground fountain operates daily from 8 AM to 9 AM and from 12 PM to 9 PM, functioning for 40 minutes followed by a 20-minute rest period.

<Safety Rules for Using the Fountain>
1. Children must always be accompanied by a guardian.
2. Do not push or pull on friends.
3. Avoid running around.
4. Wear shoes to prevent slipping.
5. Please take your trash home for recycling.

The Seohak Plaza ground fountain’s water is replaced weekly, and it undergoes regular disinfection and water quality tests to maintain cleanliness.

Kids thoroughly enjoy playing in the ground fountain, even getting completely soaked.

You can also see children playing with water guns.

The ground fountain at Seohak Plaza features safety fences along the boundary with the road, ensuring a secure water play area for children.
Even though playing in the fountain is enjoyable, it’s important to limit playtime to prevent children from getting too cold.
This is because body temperature can drop quickly.
So, after an hour of play, a minimum 20-minute rest is necessary.

Adults can relax and watch the children from pergola shelters, available in bench-style, square, and circular shapes.
Since children will inevitably get wet, bringing spare clothes and a towel is advisable.

A grandfather heading to the Seohak Plaza fountain with his granddaughter under a rainbow umbrella can also be seen.
His face lights up with a smile, delighted by his granddaughter’s playful splashing.

Children quickly make new friends and have fun playing together.
This play space offers a cool escape for enjoying outdoor water activities in the city during the summer.

The Seohak Plaza fountain has designated rest times, which naturally prompt the kids to stop playing and allow them to dry their clothes in the sun, making it a thoughtful feature.

A water tap is conveniently installed next to the landscape sculpture.
Since the fountain water is treated with chemicals for disinfection, it is crucial to thoroughly rinse your hands, face, and especially your eyes with running water after playing in it.

In the evening, the Seohak Plaza ground fountain is transformed by nighttime landscape lighting, revealing a different aspect.

Enhanced with laser lighting, the fountain offers a refreshing sight during the day and transforms into a beautiful scene at night, providing locals with a captivating new attraction.

Observing the streams of the nighttime lit fountain in the city makes the summer evenings feel cooler and more enchanting.

Since the ground fountain was installed, residents have mentioned that they now gather here with friends every evening.
Simply watching the water is enjoyable, and it’s also delightful to see the children having fun during the day.

Residents often comment that it feels cooler watching the fountain here compared to staying at home, and I’ve observed them inviting other friends to join them.

Enjoy a unique summer in Seohak-dong, from the cool sprays of the Seohak Plaza ground fountain to the delicious Love Ice Cream Fridge in Dongseohak-dong.
I hope that more facilities will be developed to help citizens have a healthy summer.