SUNGAI Pinang residents and those staying around the Karpal Singh Drive have additional joy when the ground-breaking ceremony of a three-acre neighbourhood park was launched at Lebuh Sungai Pinang 7 as part of a green project by the state today.
Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow, who planted a Malayana sapling at the site during the ground-breaking ceremony, said the park would enable the residents there to enjoy its recreational facilities.
“The purpose of this project is to turn open space into an urban neighbourhood park equipped with various leisure facilities.
“This is one of the state government’s efforts to increase recreational facilities in urban areas with limited space and land.
“Until today, 69 neighbourhood parks have been built in the northeast district,” Chow said in his speech after being given the honour to officiate the ground-breaking ceremony.
Looking back, he said the state government has started the initiative to transform Penang into a cleaner, greener and safer state some 10 years ago.
Chow praised the Penang Stadium Corporation and Open Spaces (SCOS) for coming up with its pilot project at the Lebuh Sungai Pinang 7 since its formation this year.
He expressed hopes that when the project is ready by July 2021, including 100 car parks, the park is given a suitable name after getting input and that the place would become an attraction.
Chow added that one of the nine components that would be incorporated into the project is the planting of some native Penang trees.
Among other components that would be featured are a Forest Pavilion and Slide, Silver Garden and a Butterfly Garden.
Discussion on the setting up of the neighbourhood park at Lebuh Sungai Pinang 7 actually started on Nov 3 last year with state Sports and Youth Committee chairman Soon Lip Chee and Sungai Pinang assemblyman Lim Siew Khim meeting with Penang SCOS, Penang Island City Council, Penang Women’s Development Corporation and the local residents for feedback and appropriate actions to be taken.
Soon said the state government is committed to providing recreational and sports facilities to meet and improve the quality of life of the people of Penang.
He said on behalf of Penang SCOS, he thanked the Forest Research Institute Malaysia (FRIM) for supporting the project and donating some native Penang trees such as Jelutong tree, Gelugor tree, Ara tree and Penaga Laut tree.
He commended FRIM head of ecotourism and urban forestry programme Dr Noor Azlin Yahya for her assistance and Penang SCOS executive director Mohamed Akbar Mustapha and team for making the project a success.
Lim said the park is built for the benefit of the society and she hopes the residents would take care of its facilities.
“The theme of this park is ‘Our Kampong, Our Pride’. The setting up of this park is also in line with the Penang2030 vision to make the state a ‘Family-Focused Green and Smart State that Inspires the Nation, ” she said in her speech.
Jelutong MP R.S.N. Rayer, who was also present, said with a number of apartments and flats in the area, the park is certainly a special recreational place for children and senior citizens.
He also advised the people to follow the standard operating procedure (SOP) in view of the rising cases of Covid-19.
Also present at the ground-breaking ceremony were Komtar assemblyman Teh Lai Heng, Batu Lancang assemblyman Ong Ah Teong, northeast district officer Rosli Halim, PWDC chief executive officer Ong Bee Leng, Chief Minister Incorporated deputy general manager S. Bharathi, Penang SCOS landscape architect Zilin Tan, several heads of departments and MBPP councillors.
Story by K.H. Ong
Pix by Alissala Thian
Video by Law Suun Ting