As pet ownership continues to rise, the number of pet playgrounds in Busan is also increasing, with local governments actively working to create pet-friendly environments.

The city of Busan has been particularly focused on this initiative, holding a contest since last year to support the construction of pet playgrounds.

According to data from Busan City, out of 1.55 million households in the city, approximately 470,000 (about 30.7%) are estimated to own pets, based on 2022 data from the Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs. However, it’s widely believed that the current number of pet-owning households is even higher.

With nearly one in three households having a pet, the demand for pet-friendly infrastructure has grown significantly.

Currently, Busan boasts eight dog parks located in Gangseo-gu, Gijang-gun, Dongrae-gu, Dongmyeong University, Busan Gyeongsang National University, Saha-gu, Silla University, and Haeundae-gu. These parks have been either independently developed by local governments or supported by the city.

Dog parks are highly popular as they offer safe, leash-free spaces for dogs to play and often feature various play equipment. Some parks even offer special programs like “dog behavior correction lectures” to attract more pet families.

In response to the growing demand for pet infrastructure, Busan City launched the “Autonomous District/County Dog Playground Creation Support Competition” last year. This initiative is part of the city’s efforts to enhance companion animal welfare by providing financial support to local governments interested in building dog playgrounds. Last year, Nam-gu was selected for the competition, leading to the creation of a 1,642㎡ dog playground inside Tongmyeong University.

The public has responded positively to this initiative. Yeongdo-gu Office, for instance, was selected in the first half of this year to build the first dog playground in Yeongdo-gu, which will be located in Ssamji Park, across from the National Korea Maritime and Ocean University in Dongsam-dong.

Additionally, Dong-gu Office has expressed interest in constructing a dog playground, and the city has decided to support this project. If these plans move forward, Busan will have a total of 10 dog playgrounds.

The city plans to continue expanding the number of dog parks based on annual demand surveys.

An official from the city’s agricultural and livestock distribution division noted that there is significant demand for dog parks in Haeundae-gu, and they are currently reviewing options as well as promoting the creation of a large-scale pet theme park in Gijang-gun.

Fleet Chinhae

USAG Daegu