The Korea Racing Authority (KRA) has launched an international contest to find an architect who can develop a “one of a kind” horse theme park in the northern county of Yeongcheon.

The KRA wishes to build the attraction – called LetsRun Park Yeongcheon – on an undeveloped 1,475,000 sq m site (15,800sq ft). It is investing KRW260bn (US$224m, €211m, £148m) in the venture.

The authority says it wants to create an “unplugged horse utopia” to improve the overall image of horse racing. In a statement, it said: “In Korea, horse racing is perceived not as a leisure activity, but as a subsection of the gambling industry. A change in this image, along with a renewal and upheaval of facilities, is greatly needed.

“We want the park to become a tourist destination that enriches the local economy and provides an exemplary model for theme park development.”

Architecture teams of up to five individuals are invited to submit their visions of a theme park that consistently blends the themes of horses and nature with local history and culture.

The deadline for registration is 23 December, 2016 and the successful design will be revealed in February next year.

The winner will be awarded a contract to design the project. The second and third place runners up will receive KRW40m (US$35,500, €32,500, £22,000) and KRW20m (US$17,250, €16,250, £11,000) respectively.

Competition hopefuls may look towards Munich for inspiration. The German city is creating its own horse theme and adventure park – called Apassionata – and architects Gesellschaft von Architekten have won the design contest with their concept for a 12-acre hub incorporating adventure, nature and architecture.