City parks beckon when sun comes out
AFTER weeks of gloomy weather, folk in Johor Baru are happy that the skies have cleared up and they can once again enjoy leisurely activities outdoors.

Nabihah Ramli, 30, wasted no time in taking her four-year-old son to Taman Merdeka.

Visitors feeding fish at the pond in Taman Merdeka, Johor Baru.

“We used to go to the park twice a week but stopped because of the constant rain from December until middle of January.

“Now that the weather is fine, my husband and I will spend at least three hours at the park, watching our son run around and riding an escooter.

Nabihah and family relaxing at Taman Merdeka.

“I believe this kind of activity helps with his growth,” she said when interviewed by StarMetro.

Nabihah said her family used to spend their weekends at malls but switched to outdoor activities for a healthier pastime.

Mohammad Helmi always finds time to take his family to Taman Merdeka for recreation.With this in mind, she hopes that handrails can be installed around the pond at the park to prevent accidents.

“My son gets excited feeding the fish and we have to watch him closely to make sure he doesn’t fall in,” she said.

Policeman Mohammad Helmi Hamidon, 38, always finds time to take his family to Taman Merdeka for recreation.

“We stay at Residensi Pr1ma Tebrau, which is more than 15 minutes’ drive away, but we come here because there are no parks in our area.

“I do wish that more plants can be added to the park to make it more vibrant and shady,” he said.

He also suggested that more fun programmes be organised such as aerobics to attract more visitors to the park.

Housewife Loh Sew Fong, 56, has been jogging at Adda Heights Linear Park because her favourite exercise spot – Gunung Pulai – is closed due to bad weather.

“I enjoy being close to nature, so this spacious and green park is ideal for me,” she said.

As for Taman Desa Tebrau resident Marina Asnam, she doesn’t mind driving 20 minutes from her house to Adda Heights as she enjoys the scenery there.

“My daughter and her friends are having a picnic by the lake.

“The park is well-maintained and I feel it is safe to leave them there to enjoy themselves,” said the 47-year-old housewife.

Marina (right) with her daughter and friends picnicking at Adda Heights Linear Park.

Marina has noticed many families with young children and elderly members frequenting the park.

“I think people value their time outdoors these days after going through the Covid-19 pandemic when they were cooped up at home,” she said.

Kogie says Hutan Bandar MBJB park is her family’s preferred place for quality time.Another resident, Kogie Karunanithi, 40, said Hutan Bandar Johor Baru City Council (MBJB) recreational park was her family’s preferred place to spend quality time.

“Although it is more than 12km from our house in Permas Jaya, my husband and I do not mind taking our daughter there as she loves the playground at the park.

“The place is beautiful,” said Kogie.

She hopes more green spaces can be introduced in Johor Baru.

According to Universiti Teknologi Malaysia (UTM) Assoc Prof Dr Sapura Mohamad, a quality park should be accessible and meticulously maintained, with the ability to boost the well-being of communities.

The deputy dean of UTM’s Faculty of Built Environment and Surveying (academic and student affairs) said post-Covid-19, there was a surge in demand for healthy outdoor spaces.

“Parks serve as an outlet for mental and spiritual therapy.

“The greenery also helps reduce in-site temperatures, often by a few degrees Celsius.”

Assoc Prof Sapura: Various spaces can be turned into parks but natural reserves mustn’t be compromised.She said various spaces such as plazas, back alleys, buffer zones and river reserves could be turned into parks.

“However, we must not compromise the existing ecosystem.

“Natural resources including wetlands and coastal plains need to be preserved when developing these areas as parks.

“To date, there has been no detailed research to find out whether Johor Baru has an adequate number of green spaces,” said Sapura.

She added that 2ha of open space per 1,000 residents was recommended under the National Physical Plan.
Outdoors,Public Parks,Green,metro,city park
AFTER weeks of gloomy weather, folk in Johor Baru are happy that the skies have cleared up and they can once again enjoy leisurely activities outdoors.