By CHITRA S. NATHAN | Mar 10, 2010

Rasah Kemayan folk no longer need to drive 5km for a morning jog

A place to catch up with neighbours: Rasah Kemayan residents Pritam Kaur, Jamilah Katis and Tengku Aishah (right) are overjoyed with the opening of the 3.56ha neighbourhood park in their housing area.

metro@thestar.com.my
A NEWLY opened park in their housing area has the residents of Rasah Kemayan near Seremban all excited as they no longer need to venture far from their homes just to use recreational facilities.

The 3.56ha Taman Kejiranan or neighbourhood park is the first of its scale to be built by the Nilai Municipal Council (MPN) for the benefit of residents.

The park was built for the convenience and comfort of some 480 families in Rasah Kemayan as well as those from adjoining housing projects.

Tengku Aishah Tengku Ahmad, 43, said she was relieved that a park was finally built.

“Although there is another public park outside our development, it is at least 5km away and is always packed with people, especially on weekends and public holidays.

“We’ve always longed for a small space of our own, where we can go for our early morning jogs or catch up with our neighbours,” she said.

Her friend and fellow resident Pritam Kaur, 49, said she was happy that the authorities had taken the initiative to build a proper park for the residents as previously, there was only a small playground for children.

“There is a football field and also a futsal court in the new park, which makes it very convenient for our children.

“At least we know our children are safe and within our reach and do not have to worry about their whereabouts like before,” she said.

Another resident Michelle Gallagher, 48, said she was impressed by the size of the park and its facilities.

“It is nice that we have this park practically at our doorstep. No more driving out just to go for a morning walk on a proper track.

“My husband and I have already started using the facilities and enjoy it tremendously,” she said.

The RM2.9mil park, made possible by an allocation from the Housing and Local Government Ministry, was completed in just over a year.

The disabled-friendly landscaped neighbourhood park includes a 2km jogging track, futsal court, playing field, children’s playground, pavilion and restrooms.

Mentri Besar Datuk Seri Mohamad Hasan, who attended the park’s opening recently, hoped that the facilities would be used wisely by residents.

“We spend a lot of money just repairing vandalised public property, so I hope that residents and the public will look after the facilities.

“Caring for public property is our collective responsibility as these facilities are built for our benefit and cost a lot to put up and maintain,” he said, adding that similar neighbourhood parks which would serve one or more residential developments were also in the pipeline.

Mohamad also said the state would not sacrifice gazetted vacant land for development.

“Public spaces are needed for recreation and, more importantly, children need their playing fields.

“We want to preserve these areas or, if neccessary and viable, turn them into public parks,” he said.