SEOUL, Aug. 17 (Korea Bizwire) — Songpa District in southeastern Seoul will reopen its popular summer pet-friendly attraction, the “Haha Hoho Dog Water Playground,” offering a unique escape from the heat for dogs and their owners.
The one-day event will take place on Sunday, August 17, at the central plaza of Garden Five Life, a major shopping and cultural complex. According to the Songpa District Office, the venue aims to provide a fun, affordable way for pets and their owners to cool off together, following its successful debut last year. In 2024, the water park drew 432 dogs and received a customer satisfaction rating of 98%.
Notably, the district repurposed existing children’s water play facilities to create the dog-friendly space, effectively reducing budget expenditure while ensuring a hygienic and engaging environment for pets.
This year, the temporary facility will reopen using the same method, transforming into a dog-only area after the children’s pool closes on August 16. The setup includes modular pools, a lazy river, shower booths, drying stations, and shaded rest tents.
The park will operate from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., divided into sessions by dog size: small and medium-sized dogs can enter during the first two sessions (10 a.m.–12 p.m. and 12:30–2:30 p.m.), while larger breeds will be admitted in the final session (3–5 p.m.). All sessions are free, but only dogs with up-to-date vaccinations are allowed entry.
A highlight of the event will be a dog swimming competition held at 11 a.m., 1:30 p.m., and 4 p.m. Each race is limited to 10 dogs on a first-come, first-served basis, offering a playful opportunity for pets and their owners to participate together.
Pre-registration is available via QR code for priority admission, but on-site registration is also permitted. For safety, the number of dogs allowed per session will be capped at 50 for small/medium dogs and 35 for large dogs.
Image credit: Yonhap, Songpa District / photonews@koreabizwire.com
