The former Hialeah Camp, which occupied 133 acres (540,000 m2) of prime real estate, was closed on August 10, 2006, and handed over to the Busan city government. The camp was redeveloped and officially opened in 2014 as the Busan Citizen Park.
Busan Citizens Park serves as a cultural repository for Korean twentieth-century history.
During the 36-year Japanese occupation of Korea, the formal Camp Hialeah served as the Imperial Army headquarters. On September 17, 1945, US troops took command of Camp Hialeah and stayed until the end of 1946. The installation was under the control of the United States Consulate and the United Nations until it was evacuated at the outbreak of the Korean War.
When the Korean War began, US troops reclaimed command of Camp Hialeah in response to a United Nations resolution to defend the Republic of Korea. In early July, the 24th Infantry Division landed on the peninsula in Busan, and the 8609th Replacement Depot was stationed at Camp Hialeah.
During the Korean War, Busan was an important strategic and logistical staging area. Except for the United Nations forces beachhead around the Busan Perimeter, the Korean People’s Army controlled the majority of the Korean peninsula by September 5, 1950. The US military had control of the Busan port facilities in order to meet the enormous support needs of the fighting forces, with the 8069th Replacement Depot operating Camp Hialeah. Following the signing of the Korean Armistice Agreement on July 27, 1953, the majority of the Busan port facilities were turned over to the ROK government.
Camp Hialeah served as a primary receiving point for materiel, equipment, supplies, and goods to US Army bases in the Republic of Korea, as well as one of the primary Non-combatant Evacuation Operations (NEO) routes for US personnel entering and exiting the Republic of Korea.
When supplies from the United States arrived, Camp Hialeah was in charge of storing and distributing them to American military camps throughout the country. These supplies would enter the market through unofficial channels and become an important part of the Busan economy. Leaked rations from American military camps contributed to form the Seomyeon tool shopping district and the resulting machine industry of Busan, as well as the international market and tinned goods market. Camp Hialeah’s history coexisted with the residents of Busan, who interacted with American soldiers and relied on the camp’s various cultural facilities for a living.
The Camp was initially separated from residential areas, but as Busan grew, it eventually encircled it. Prior to installation relocation, comparable facilities and infrastructure that meet US standards and infrastructure were required under the guidelines of the US-South Korea Status of Forces Agreement (SOFA). The closure of Camp Hialeah was announced on June 1, 2005, in accordance with the Amended Land Partnership Plan between the United States and the Republic of Korea.
Busan Citizen Park is back to the public as the lungs of the city
Busan Citizen Park opened on May 1, 2014, quickly becoming a city landmark as citizens demanded more green spaces and the city lacked a true urban landmark attracting visitors.
The park now aids in pollution control, biodiversity enhancement, and social cohesion in the heart of Busan. It covers the Yeonji, Bujeon, and Beomjeon-dong areas and has a total area of 530,800 square meters (131 acres).
This urban park is important to Busan residents because it is an important part of the city’s green spaces. The importance of parks as green lung in urban areas demonstrates their unique contribution to people’s lives not only in physical and tangible aspects such as environment, ecology, and amenity, but also in metal and intangible aspects such as aesthetics, health therapy, recreation, and communication.
Take A Breather At the Urban Park
City living has many advantages. Cities have it all, from walking down the street for a bite at any number of stellar restaurants to excellent public transportation options and museums and cultural attractions galore. What is it that cities may be lacking? The presence of greenery.
Since its opening in 2014, Busan Citizens’ Park, also known as the “Central Park of Busan,” has become the city’s signature spot, attracting a large number of picnickers. Busan Citizen Park is a tranquil nature spot to unwind and have a picnic, and it is ideal for nature lovers who want to breathe in fresh air and take a slow afternoon stroll to enjoy the flora and fauna. During spring and autumn, the park is especially Instagram-worthy, with beautiful cherry blossoms or orange-gold autumn leaves depending on the season.
Explore this urban park located in and around downtown while chaotic city life fills the scene outside. Spread out a mat on an open lawn for a lunch break, bring a book and stay the entire day, or simply enjoy the peace and quiet of the city’s green at any time of day.
Running at the park while traveling
Running while traveling, whether for work or fun, can be one of the most invigorating ways to immerse yourself in a new place. Running while traveling is specifically beneficial. Traveling can be stressful and exhausting, and running has been proven to improve a person’s mental state. Running can even help with jet lag.
If you’re looking for a place to run while traveling in Busan, Busan Citizen Park is the place to go. In addition to avoiding long lines for bus and train tickets, your run may take you away from major thoroughfares and tourist routes, allowing you to see something unexpected.
Busan Citizen Park also provides access to scenic trail running routes.
Between Busan Citizens Park and Hwajisan Mountain, there is an ‘Eco Bridge’ suspension bridge that spans Dongpyeong-ro. An ‘eco bridge,’ also known as an ecological passage, is a man-made passage that allows wild animals to avoid raodkill when their natural habitat is cut off due to road or dam construction. The eco bridge is a type of urban intervention and passageway that connects two mountains that are separated by a highway.
This bridge is now used as a passage for hikers during the day and as a passage for wild animals at night. Eco Bridge leads to Hwajisan Mountain, which provides one of the best ways to spend quality time with your family by going on a hike and can help you plan a fun day of outdoor play.
Hwajisan Mountain is a typical hilly mountainous area, 142m high, with a vertical summit and a gentle slope. Hwajisan Mountain is a branch of Geumjeong Mountain, bordered to the east by Baekyangsan and to the southeast by Hwangnyeongsan and Geumnyeonsan.
If you have previous trail running experience and want a more intense experience, you can cross Hwajisan Mountain to Geumyongsan Mountain, which is also connected to Baegyangsan Mountain. Crossing Hwajisan Mountain from the bridge takes about half an hour.
A picnic guide for Busan Citizen Park
What could be more enjoyable than a picnic in the park? When the autumn wind blows, nothing beats eating a meal outside while surrounded by good company. It’s a good idea to prepare something to eat ahead of time. Don’t forget to bring your camera and some great music to listen to as well.
As you walk through Citizen Park, you will notice many people having picnics and laying on mats all over the lawn. Near Citizens Park, there is a large mart called ‘E-Mart Traders,’ where you can buy ready-to-eat products like sushi, pizza, salad, and various pre-cooked foods. You can also buy picnic supplies at a convenience store on the south side of the first gate, which sells all mats and chopsticks.
Picnic rental services are also available near the park for a one-of-a-kind and unforgettable experience.
Explore Bujeon Market Town near the park
Bujeon Market Town is the largest and most vibrant traditional food market in Busan. Bujeon Market, right next to the park in the bustling Seomyeon district, has hundreds of ingredients you’ll want to try.
Unlike tourist markets in Jung-gu, Busan, such as Gukje Market and Jagalchi Market, it is a good place to enjoy local culture because it has retained its identity for locals. If you want to eat local food at a reasonable price, there are many small local restaurants selling it.
In 2008, the Bujeon Market Town was modernized. A roof was constructed to cover the shops, and the passageway was paved with colored concrete so that shoppers do not need to bring umbrellas even when it rains.
There are no fancy signs for tourists at Bujeon Market because it is all about the locals. This is where Busan residents go to buy groceries and sell their specialties. This market can get quite crowded in the morning and afternoon. Food and restaurant prices are also cheaper than in other markets because their customers are mostly locals. Various homemade side dishes, as well as other seafood and vegetables, are available here.
Let’s plan your next epic running adventure in Busan.
Runcations, or running vacations, are as enticing and energizing as they sound. Finding the best running routes, top-notch refueling spots, and coolest post-run activities in a new place on your own, on the other hand, can be, in a word, overwhelming. However, we can direct you to the best starting point and awesome post-run activities in Busan.
This action-packed trail running dives deep into Busan’s detailed history and green-hued terrain. It’s perfectly fine to remember that walking is an important part of trail running, especially for beginners, whether they’re new to running in general or new to running on trails. To ease into it, a combination of hill walks and runs can be extremely beneficial. You can gain great fitness and experience while also getting your muscles used to the trails, and then progress from there.
Breeze In Busan
Local guides ensure that you are on the best trails in Busan. See some of Busan’s most beautiful landscapes, including bucket-list destinations like mountain summits, epic beaches, and lush forests.
