Best Parks to Visit with Kids in Seocho-gu Soccer at Yangjae Neighborhood Park, Basketball at Guryong Children’s Park

 

Best Parks to Visit with Kids in Seocho-gu

Soccer at Yangjae Neighborhood Park, Basketball at Guryong Children’s Park

I love living in a neighborhood full of parks

Words by Jeong-Yoon Lee

One of the things I’ve come to truly appreciate about living in Seocho-gu is how many parks are tucked into every corner.

With Yangjaecheon Stream and Guryongsan Mountain so close by, it’s the perfect place for everyday walks—and when my nephews come to visit, I have fun planning a little course around the neighborhood. We visit one park or one mountain trail at a time.

⚽ Soccer? Always at Yangjae Neighborhood Park

In the summer, the fountains here are a must.

We usually head straight to the splash zone where the kids can cool off and have a blast. After a good soak, we head over to the soccer field—open to the public after 6 PM. Perfect timing, right?

The playground recently went through a safety upgrade, and now it feels super secure.

After reading books like The Coddling of the American Mind, I find myself thinking a lot about how playgrounds have changed.

Still, this one strikes a nice balance. It’s safe, but not too sterile.

The kids’ favorite? The rope climbing tower, hands down.

Every time they visit, they race toward it first.

It’s true—kids love a little bit of danger!

🏀 For Basketball, Check Out Guryong Children’s Park

While Yangjae Neighborhood Park is our usual go-to, I only recently explored Guryong Children’s Park for the first time.

It’s actually right near the entrance to Guryongsan Mountain, but it’s easy to miss—it’s tucked above a staircase.

One day I noticed some especially beautiful cherry blossoms blooming in one spot, and when I climbed the stairs to check it out, I discovered… Guryong Children’s Park!

It was a small moment of serendipity.

There’s a playground, yes—but now that my nephews are getting older, they’ve moved on to the basketball court.

Bring a ball, and they’ll play for hours.

For reference, it’s right across from Poi-dong Cathedral—a peaceful spot, with lots of shade from trees.

🌳 A Neighborhood Full of Parks

I didn’t even realize there was an elementary school hidden inside Yangjae Neighborhood Park until recently.

I always thought it was just part of the park.

Seeing those classic milk crates stacked near the edge gave me a wave of nostalgia—a small reminder of childhood memories.

Seocho-gu really is a great place to raise kids.

There’s a peaceful mix of walking paths, scenic views, and wide-open spaces where children can run, kick a ball, or shoot some hoops.

Next time, we’ll bring the basketball to Guryong Children’s Park and the soccer ball to Yangjae Neighborhood Park—our perfect little weekend plan.

One park at a time, we’re slowly checking off all the neighborhood gems.