Lee Min-keun, the mayor of Ansan, Gyeonggi Province, visited four local sites in one day to hear residents' concerns and assess solutions to community issues.
The mayor's commitment is rooted in the belief that "answers lie in the field."
On September 17, as part of the "2026 Citizens' Dreams Reflected in the Budget" initiative, Mayor Lee toured the neighborhoods of 이동 and 월피동, directly inspecting parks, senior centers, parking lots, and rivers with residents.
The locations he visited included 성호공원 철쭉동산, 이동경로당, the construction site of 월피동 171호 노외주차장, and the Ansan Stream walking path.
At 성호공원 철쭉동산, the mayor engaged with residents, gathering feedback on green space management and the need for improved facilities.
Residents requested better maintenance and additional rest areas to enhance accessibility to the park, which is a prominent feature for those entering Ansan via 수인산업도로.
In response, Mayor Lee committed to installing shade structures and benches, as well as ongoing tree maintenance, including weed removal and irrigation.
Next, at 이동경로당, he addressed the concerns of seniors regarding the cramped kitchen space, which serves about 30 meals daily.
The mayor inspected the facility and instructed staff to explore improvement options, with plans to review the project scope and budget for potential inclusion in the 2027 budget.
One resident remarked, "It was easier to convey our issues by showing them in person rather than just explaining them. I will be watching to see if our suggestions lead to real improvements."
In the afternoon, he moved to the construction site of 월피동 171호 노외주차장.
Mayor Lee checked on the progress of the project aimed at alleviating chronic parking shortages, which began construction in late June and is expected to be completed by June 2027.
Residents expressed hope that the new parking lot would help resolve persistent parking issues and urged that the project stay on schedule.
Finally, the mayor visited the Ansan Stream walking path to assess pedestrian safety features.
During this visit, concerns were raised about the safety risks for seniors and individuals with mobility challenges using stone steps, with requests for the installation of safety rails and handholds.
Mayor Lee pledged to secure funding to enhance pedestrian safety features, focusing on steps lacking handrails.
He emphasized the importance of distinguishing between issues that can be addressed immediately and those requiring budget allocation for follow-up actions.
Mayor Lee Min-keun stated, "For residents, even a small daily inconvenience can be a significant issue in their lives. I will walk the sites and listen to residents to determine what needs to be changed first, rather than relying solely on reports."
He added, "I will ensure that the discussions we had today lead to tangible changes, prioritizing actionable items and carefully reviewing budget-dependent projects to deliver results that residents can feel."
Looking ahead, Mayor Lee plans to continue his hands-on approach by visiting sites closely related to residents' lives to hear their voices and address local issues.
* This article has been translated by AI.
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