On Saturday, April 18, Maple Leaf Playground No. 3 opened at Seoul Children's Grand Park.

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Maple Leaf Playground is MapleStory’s public playground remodeling project aimed at expanding children’s right to play.

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Following Maple Leaf Playground No. 1 in Seongnam and Maple Leaf Playground No. 2 in Uijeongbu, this is the third site.

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So why is MapleStory leading this kind of effort?

Why Children Need to Play

Currently, children in Korea spend an average of 1 hour and 32 minutes a day playing, well below the OECD average of 2 hours and 30 minutes. In other words, the figure is among the lowest in the OECD.

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The idea that “playing is laziness” is still imposed on children, and fear that “if you do not study, you will fall behind” has pushed them into private academies, driving a sharp increase in the number of hagwons.

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Meanwhile, the number of playgrounds has continued to decline.

Nadeuli Children's Playground in Seongnam before remodeling

Even where playgrounds are available, conditions are not always adequate.

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Of Korea’s roughly 80,000 playgrounds, 52% are located inside apartment complexes, which means non-residents cannot use them at all. The result is a clear form of play inequality.

Maple Leaf Playground No. 3

Maple Leaf Playground No. 1 after remodeling

That is why MapleStory entered into a public playground development agreement and began remodeling aging playground facilities.

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A key part of the process was holding workshops with children, gathering their input, and reflecting it in the project.

Mamkkeot Playground at Seoul Children's Grand Park before remodeling. To see the remodeled version, you will have to visit in person.

The newly opened Maple Leaf Playground No. 3 was built on a much larger scale than before.

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From the entrance, the space is marked with the signature maple leaf motif. Inside, MapleStory BGM plays throughout, and the playground is divided into four main zones.

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The first is Pink Bean World.

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This zone includes a Pink Bean-themed play structure, a double slide, ring obstacles, and a net rest area. It was designed as a place where children as energetic as Pink Bean can run and play freely. With its high climbing structure and winding slide, it is likely to be one of the most exciting areas in the playground.

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The second is Stone Spirit World.

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It features a mounding maze play area and swings, with a design concept that suggests Stone Spirits may be hidden throughout the space. It is a zone that will likely resonate with children who want to discover hidden treasure or find a secret base of their own.

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The third is Orange Mushroom World.

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This area includes a trampoline, Orange Mushroom stepping stones, and a photo zone. Built around the lively energy of Orange Mushroom, it gives children room to jump and play actively. Trampolines like this were once commonly called bang-bang, and this one has been made in a smaller size for light, casual play.

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The fourth and final zone is the Maple Leaf Rest Area.

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Designed for parents accompanying their children, this space includes shade structures and a maple leaf sand play area. Adults can sit near the shaded seating and keep an eye on the children, while those who prefer quieter play can spend time in the sand area.

In Closing

When I was young, there were not enough places to play in my neighborhood, so I remember kicking a ball around and roller-skating in parking lots where cars were coming and going. Looking back, it was clearly dangerous, but it also speaks to how strong the desire to play can be.

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Children today are no different. They should not be getting hurt while playing in dangerous parking lots or alleyways, and certainly not on aging playground equipment.

Only a third playground has been remodeled so far out of the many thousands that exist, but if the goal of protecting children’s right to play continues to spread, that alone carries real meaning.

If you are looking for a place to visit on Children's Day, it may be worth stopping by.

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The Seoul Children's Garden Festival opens on May 5, and there are also plenty of cute MapleStory characters to see.

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It is also a good opportunity to take photos and make memories.