Heojun Neighborhood Park

Heojun Neighborhood Park was named to honor Heo Jun (1539–1615), the author of Dongui Bogam (25 volumes, 3106 pages), who was born and died in this region (Gongam). The park was created as a neighborhood park for nearby residents during the large-scale housing development in this area by Seoul City. Before Olympic Expressway was built, this place was a beautiful riverside where the river flowed to the foot of Tapsan Cliff, with two rocks rising like pillars in the middle of the river. According to legend, these rocks were called Gwangjuam because they drifted down from Gwangju. For this reason, Gwangju County used to receive several bundles of broomcorn brooms from Yangcheon as tribute for the rocks. However, when Yangcheon said they no longer needed the rocks and asked for them back, such practices ceased.

To preserve Gwangjuam, which was at risk of being buried due to housing development, a new revetment was built and a lake park was created. The park area is rich in legends and historical sites. Tapsan once had Gongam Chungtap and Soyujeong Pavilion, and the Han River viewed from here was as wide and beautiful as the sea, inspiring many poets and artists to soothe their weary minds and create poems and paintings. Passing through the west gate of the park, you will find Gongam Ferry, where the legend of Tugeumtan (throwing gold into the river) is set—a story of two brothers, I Jo-nyeon and I Eok-nyeon, who threw a lump of gold they found on the road into the river to avoid harming their brotherly bond. Nearby is Heogabawi Rock, the ancestral cave of the Yangcheon (Gongam) Heo clan. About 1 km further, there are Yangcheon Hyanggyo (the only local Confucian school remaining in Seoul), Yangcheon Ancient Fortress Site, and Soakru Pavilion Site.