IMAGINE opening your back door to a lush, green landscape filled with happy children playing games or senior citizens practising tai chi or enjoying the outdoors in their free time. While most can only dream about such luxury, residents of Section 12 in Petaling Jaya will be the first in the city to have a linear park to enjoy.
A linear park is one that is long compared to the usual parks that are wide and will come with amenities for residents to enjoy. Countries such as Australia, the United States and even Canada have long adopted this idea.
In Malaysia, Penang’s Taman Jajar has also made a name for itself among the locals and is a noted tourist destination for those who enjoy a quiet walk.
The idea to build a park on the empty stretch of land in Section 12 stemmed from residents’ lament that they were tired of seeing such big plots of land empty.
The linear park will be built between houses on Jalan 12/14 and Jalan 12/12 stretching from an existing playground beside Jalan 12/13 and Jalan Utara.
Exchange of ideas: Section 12 residents discussing the plans with MBPJ landscape department technician Mohd Rubil during a briefing recently.
The land is overgrown with grass and is home to rodents and snakes as well.
Section 12 Residents Association chairman Datuk A. Narayanan said the land was a mess with overgrowth and a possible hazard for residents if not tended to properly.
“We felt it could be developed into a park that can be used by the residents. Most of them here are senior citizens and it would be good if they can have a place to exercise in the evenings,” he said.
Next to the land is a large monsoon drain that was widened in 2008 after numerous floodings that brought water into the residents’ sewage system.
The project took about six months to complete and the result is an effective flood mitigation programme for residents.
Narayanan said they hoped that installing park benches, proper walking paths and lights would deter unsavoury characters from roaming in the area at night.
“The park is a central location for Section 12 residents and will provide an important avenue for residents to come together and build ties,” he added.
Section 12 Residents’ Associa-tion deputy president R. Raja-soorian said many residents had adopted the plot of land and planted trees and plants but did not maintain the place.
To be put to good use: This area in Section 12, Petaling Jaya, will be turned into a linear park.
“They do not have time to take care of the greenery and the dried leaves end up in the monsoon drain, clogging and creating more problems.
“By allowing MBPJ to build the linear park, we will have a better landscape and a place equipped with all the necessary amenities for everyone to enjoy,” he said.
Narayanan said the residents who had come up with the idea had engaged an architect to draw a plan that was submitted to the Petaling Jaya City Council (MBPJ).
In their proposal, they included jogging and walking paths, cycling path, playground with equipment, herbs, vegetables and fruit garden, exercise area, barbecue and picnic areas complete with gazebos, meditation pavilions, tea garden and multi-purpose courts for badminton and sepak takraw.
The project was approved with a layout plan drawn up by MBPJ’s landscape department.
All laid-out: An artist’s impression of the linear park.
MBPJ councillor Richard Yeoh said it took longer to take off because the council needed to get the necessary approvals for the linear park to be built, especially since it involved reserve land owned by other government agencies.
“It is a great project for all local authorities to adopt. This place has not changed since the area was first developed 60 years ago,” he said.
Petaling Jaya mayor Datuk Mohammad Roslan Sakiman said he was happy when the residents first suggested the project to MBPJ.
“Residents can adopt the park and help care for it as well and it complements our green initiatives in Petaling Jaya,” said Roslan, who has implemented several green initiatives in the city.
The first phase of the project will take off this week and is expected to be completed on Nov 30 while the entire stretch of 800m may take up to seven years.
For the first phase, work will begin near Jalan 12/12, comprising a 9m-by-3m plot of land. There will be a walkway with seats complete with a badminton court and flood lights to ensure the place is bright and safe.
A budget of RM100,000 has been allocated for this purpose and the rest will be dispersed in stages to complete the other stretches.
The landscaping of the area is estimated to cost RM20,000 and MBPJ officers will try to retain as much of the current landscape as possible.
In the long run, they are planning to add bridges along the park to connect to both sides of the monsoon drain for the public’s convenience.
Yeoh said they may even look at getting sponsors from private developers or companies to help fund some of the expansion plans they have for the project.
He said even the residents could pool their resources to put up fencing for safety reasons along the monsoon drain.
Narayanan and his committee members have no problems with the duration of the project and are grateful that their ideas have been included.
When asked if the residents in the area have been informed of the impending project, Rajasoorian said most were aware.
“We will highlight the project in our newsletter and rely on word of mouth to spread the news. This is a project for everybody’s benefit so I doubt they would object to it,” he said.
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