The Yangyang County Wood Culture Experience Center, which was completely destroyed by a fire in 2022, is set to reopen with a new look. The facility is transforming from a wood exhibition and experience center into a family-oriented cultural space where parents and children can relax, engage in activities, and play together, aiming to become a new hub for forest culture in the region.
In June, Yangyang County completed construction and installation of exhibition facilities for the Wood Culture Experience Center, with plans for trial operations to begin in October and a formal opening scheduled for January 2027.
This project aims to rebuild the center that was lost in the fire in January 2022. The county has invested a total of 61.56 billion won to reconstruct the facility and significantly expand its functions.
The newly established Wood Culture Experience Center is significant as it goes beyond the previous role of the facility, providing a space for families to experience various cultural and educational activities while enjoying relaxation. The operational framework is designed to enhance visitor satisfaction by incorporating educational and experiential programs centered around wood, as well as recreational and play features.
Yangyang County has set the operational direction of the facility as a 'family-oriented cultural space for parents and children.' Rather than being solely for children, the center is designed to allow families to spend time together and enjoy nature, thereby increasing the duration of family visits and contributing to local tourism.
The center will be located in Songi Valley Natural Recreation Forest, a popular destination known for its beautiful natural environment and accommodation facilities. However, there has been ongoing feedback regarding the lack of indoor cultural spaces where visitors can freely relax.
In response, Yangyang County has decided to develop the Wood Culture Experience Center as a key facility that complements the functions of the recreation forest. It will operate as a family-friendly space accessible to both local residents and tourists, enhancing the competitiveness of forest tourism.
The facility's operations will also be differentiated by floor characteristics.
The first floor will feature spaces for wood-related experiences and educational programs. Various programs will be available for children, teenagers, and families to learn about the properties of wood and the value of eco-friendly materials through hands-on activities.
Experience sessions will be planned to last between two to three hours, allowing for easy participation. This practical approach aims to accommodate tourists visiting the recreation forest for short periods.
The second floor will serve as a permanent relaxation and play area for families. The space will be designed for children to play safely while parents can relax comfortably, creating an environment where generations can spend time together.
As cultural facilities evolve to include not only experiences but also relaxation and communication functions, the Wood Culture Experience Center is being recognized for actively reflecting this trend.
Yangyang County is currently preparing for the opening by purchasing woodworking machines and various equipment necessary for the operation of the wood experience room, while also checking the operational environment of each facility. They are meticulously ensuring the safety of equipment and operational flow to provide a safe and pleasant environment for participants.
The county is also focusing on securing expertise in program operations.
To leverage the rich experience and expertise of the private sector, the county is in the process of selecting a specialized organization to operate wood experience and educational programs. This will enable the development of tailored programs for different age groups and audiences, as well as the systematic establishment of a professional instructor management system and safety management measures.
Programs will be designed to accommodate various age groups, including preschoolers, elementary school students, teenagers, and adults, expanding content that families can enjoy together. It is expected that a variety of content, including hands-on woodcraft experiences, eco-friendly education, and creativity enhancement programs, will also be offered.
Yangyang County plans to begin trial operations in October, assessing and improving any shortcomings that arise during the actual operation process. They will gather diverse feedback from visitors regarding facility accessibility, program composition, safety management, and operational methods to gradually enhance the content.
Based on the results of the trial operations, the operational system and programs will be finalized, with full-scale operations commencing in January 2027.
The county anticipates that the newly opened Wood Culture Experience Center will establish itself as a representative forest cultural facility linked to Songi Valley Natural Recreation Forest. If it develops into a complex space that increases the duration of family visits while providing both forest education and cultural experiences, it is expected to have a positive ripple effect on the local tourism industry.
Additionally, it is expected to provide local residents with a cultural and educational space in their daily lives while showcasing unique forest experience content to tourists, potentially growing into a new cultural tourism landmark in the region.
A Yangyang County official stated, “We are creating the Wood Culture Experience Center not just as a place to view exhibits or have one-time experiences, but as a family-centered cultural space where children can freely engage in activities and parents can relax comfortably. We will do our best to prepare a facility that satisfies both local residents and tourists by actively reflecting their diverse opinions during the trial operation period.”
Meanwhile, Yangyang County plans to conduct a thorough review of the facilities and programs during the trial operations starting in October, continuously improving the content based on visitor feedback, and developing it into a representative forest culture and experience hub for the region with the official opening in January 2027.
* This article has been translated by AI.
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