KUCHING, March 27: Kenyalang Park’s Traffic Garden Expansion and Community Rejuvenation Programme is expected to be completed in August this year, said Minister of Local Government and Housing Datuk Seri Dr Sim Kui Hian.
Dr Sim in a press statement today said the programme, which is a pilot project under Kuching South City Council (MBKS)’s Urban Renewal Initiative, is implemented in two packages through open tender with Package 1 costing RM4 million. Package 2 costs RM0.5 million.
According to him, under Package 1, 0.5 km of new garden pathways are introduced in addition to 1 km of upgraded existing footpaths which are connected by a series of new bridges over a major waterway in the valley.
“The project promotes urban farming through the introduction of a community orchard and the provision of continuous vegetable patches in front of the park-facing houses. This initiative empowers the local residents to take ownership of the park through engaging in the planting activities.
“The park will have a new Entrance Pavilion at Jalan Wan Abdul Rahman. The multiple entrances into the park through existing side lanes are also enhanced.
“Package 2 is to upgrade the existing public toilet in the Traffic Garden and convert the old bike shed into a sheltered seating area. Construction commenced in November last year, and the project is expected to complete in August this year,” he said.
Dr Sim noted the construction work is ahead of schedule, where Package 1 has achieved 60 per cent completion while Package 2 is 55 per cent completed.
He also praised the MBKS Mayor Dato Wee Hong Seng for initiating a series of community-centric projects, especially with this Kenyalang Park pilot project to improve the living environment, enhance quality of life and health of the residents and the community.
“Even though this project at Kenyalang Park has passed the halfway mark, the transformation of this “hidden jewel” is evident as an extended shared garden of all the local residents,” he added. –DayakDaily.
