A banner urging restraint in playing ball games at a children’s park in Seoul has sparked an online debate. (Photo: a screenshot from a social networking platform)
SEOUL, Mar. 13 (Korea Bizwire) – A banner urging restraint in playing ball games at a children’s park in Seoul has sparked an online debate, highlighting a deeper issue of shrinking play spaces for children in urban areas.
The sign, which quickly spread on social media, has drawn criticism for seemingly contradicting the very purpose of a children’s park, while others argue it points to a broader challenge of limited recreational areas for kids.
On March 10, a photo of the banner from Apsan Children’s Park in Seoul’s Yangcheon District was posted on X (formerly Twitter).
The banner, put up by the Yangcheon District Office, pleaded for visitors to refrain from playing soccer, baseball, and other ball games, citing noise complaints from neighboring residents.
This photo stirred significant attention, amassing over 2.9 million views and 12,000 shares by the afternoon of March 11.
The online community is divided, with some netizens deeming it absurd to restrict children from playing ball in a park designed for them.
Others, however, empathize with the plight of public servants who face complaints and point out the considerable noise in densely populated residential areas.
Critics of the banner’s message argue it’s nonsensical and suggest, somewhat facetiously, converting the space into an “adult park” if children can’t play freely.
One netizen lamented the disappearance of children’s laughter even from apartment complexes, questioning if adult convenience is trumping children’s right to play.
The Yangcheon District Office explained that the banner was a compromise between conflicting complaints about children’s play and the desire for quieter surroundings.
An official shared with the Kukmin Daily that they receive grievances both for and against ball games, leading to the decision to ask for moderation rather than an outright ban, to minimize noise without stifling play.
Some netizens proposed setting specific times for ball games to mitigate conflict, a suggestion met with concerns from another district official about potentially limiting children’s playtime even further, emphasizing the need for community consensus.
This controversy sheds light on a broader issue: the diminishing spaces available for children to play in Seoul. Over the past decade, the number of children’s parks in the city has decreased, with statistics showing a drop from 1,301 parks in 2013 to 1,248 in 2022.
A municipal official remarked on the vital role these small parks play in densely populated neighborhoods, serving as the only breath of fresh air for many children.
With schools limiting public access to their outdoor spaces, the availability of areas where children can freely run and play is becoming increasingly scarce, underscoring the need for a balanced approach to urban planning that accommodates the needs of all residents.
M. H. Lee (mhlee@koreabizwire.com)
