RESIDENTS of Taman Lip Sin in Bayan Lepas can now look forward to the establishment of Penang’s first-ever age-friendly neighbourhood park, the Lengkok Nipah Neighbourhood Park.
A joint initiative by the Penang Island City Council (MBPP) and the Bayan Baru parliamentary constituency office, this project marks a significant step towards creating inclusive public spaces for the local community.
The groundbreaking ceremony was held today, attended by Bayan Baru MP Sim Tze Tzin, Batu Uban assemblyman Kumaresan Arumugam, MBPP mayor Datuk A. Rajendran, and MBPP councillors Visvenathan Tangavello and Chan Soon Aun.
According to Rajendran, the park, covering nearly an acre, is expected to be completed by Sept 5 this year.
“The project, awarded through open tender to Tetuan Ilham Urus Sdn Bhd, began on Jan 6 this year and comes at a cost of RM700,000.
“This initiative aligns with the state government’s mission to transform Penang island into an age-friendly city by 2025.
“As we all age, creating an inclusive environment becomes increasingly important. Elderly residents, whether in urban or rural areas, face challenges such as mobility issues, lack of age-friendly infrastructure, and difficulty accessing services.
“Thus, this park aims to address these concerns,” Rajendran explained during the ceremony.
The Lengkok Nipah Neighbourhood Park will feature a variety of amenities designed to meet the needs of all residents, particularly senior citizens.
These include pedestrian walkways, children’s playground equipment, exercise stations, a stage, a plaza, an amphitheatre, a garden entrance statement, concrete benches, wheelchair-accessible seating, wheelchair-friendly pathways, motorcycle barriers, concrete bollards, park lighting, and tree planting to enhance greenery.
Rajendran also emphasised the park’s age-friendly design, noting its potential to encourage older residents to engage in recreational activities and lead healthier lifestyles.
“This development underscores MBPP’s commitment to creating inclusive spaces that promote community well-being and sustainability,” he said.
Meanwhile, Sim highlighted the transformation of the site, which had previously deteriorated into a parking lot due to lack of maintenance.
“While the project will lead to the loss of 50 parking spaces, this is a small price to pay.
“We are prioritising the needs of the 50,000 residents in this area who currently lack a dedicated neighbourhood park for recreation. This project is for the greater good of the community,” Sim stated.
Story by Riadz Akmal
Pix by Siti Nuratikah Rahmat