Seoul adds map of 422 water play spots to help families beat summer heat

With the heavy heat of summer settling over the capital, finding a quick, budget-friendly escape for children has often meant navigating a frustrating patchwork of local district websites, social media channels and community blogs.

The Seoul Metropolitan Government said Tuesday that it is streamlining this search with a centralized, interactive digital directory designed to help families stay cool without leaving the city.

Starting Monday, the municipal Smart Seoul Map began offering a unified guide to 422 water facilities scattered across Seoul’s 25 districts, giving residents real-time access to operational hours, exact locations and nearby amenities on their smartphones.

The database, which city officials say will be updated continuously by local district workers through August, maps out a diverse network of public urban oases.

The list includes 103 traditional swimming pools, 97 playground water parks, 147 splash pads, and 66 decorative water features.

Among the new highlights featured on the map is the newly opened water playground at Gwangnaru Hangang Park.

"In the dead of summe ...