Many unaware that Taman Rimba Ampang has been closed despite notices posted at entrance
REGULAR visitors to Taman Rimba Ampang in Ampang were caught unawares when they were informed that the park was going to be closed for more than three years.
It was recently reported that the popular recreational spot would be closed to the public as of Jan 5 to enable the construction of East Klang Valley Expressway (EKVE). The temporary closure is expected to last until May 2019.
During its closure, EKVE will upgrade the forest’s recreational facilities.
A StarMetro check on Tuesday showed visitors were still entering the park despite notices posted at the entrance.
A park employee said visitors would still be able to enter the park until the machinery were brought in.
“However, they do not need to pay the entrance fee of RM1 because officially, the park is closed,” the employee said, adding that they did not know when the area would be fully closed.
Selvam, 61, who regularly jogs at the park, said he had not been aware of the notices.
“I have been coming here for three years now because it is a peaceful place and it is within a forest. Where else can you find a clean river that is accessible to the public and within the city?
“I will definitely miss coming here in the mornings,” he said.
Another jogger, Hidayah Hussain, 58, said she would sometimes bring her three-year-old granddaughter to the park.
“I always try to make it a learning experience for her,” the former teacher said.
“I try to point out any unusual plants or insects and we usually end the day with a dip in the river,” she said.
Hidayah said that she too had been unaware of the park’s impending closure and expressed her shock over the matter.
“It will not be the same when it reopens with a highway running over the park,” she added.
A few visitors that StarMetro spoke to, said they welcomed the upgrading of the park.
Among them was G.H. Tan, 43, who said it was high time the facilities were improved.
“This is a very beautiful and peaceful place. It is a shame that it has not been maintained very well,” he said.
When StarMetro visited, the park was in a mess with rubbish strewn all over, with some even washed down into the river. There were polystyrene containers and even dirty diapers littering the place.
All the rubbish bins were flowing and looked like it had not been collected for a few weeks. Monkeys had also rummaged through them, worsening the situation.
The playground too was in deplorable condition with broken swings and damaged rubber mats.
There was only one functioning toilet, while the wooden gazebos were rotting and in need of paint.
It was reported that the Selangor Forestry Department had said the park’s closure was necessary in view of safety and environmental concerns.
“We will also be constantly monitoring to ensure there is no contamination within the area,” they said.
A spokesman from Ekve Sdn Bhd had said construction was expected to start this month and they were in the midst of doing preparatory works such as installing silt traps and fences to mitigate environmental effects.
“Simultaneously, we will be upgrading the forest’s recreational area as part of our corporate social responsibility,” he said.
Taman Rimba Ampang is surrounded by the Ampang Forest Reserve and is a popular tourist spot for families and birdwatchers.
The Ampang forest recently came under the spotlight when the Selangor Forestry Department in February 2014 announced a proposal to degazette 106.65ha of the forest reserve for the construction of EKVE.
The forest reserve is part of the Selangor State Park, gazetted in 2005 in conjunction with its Developed State status.
The state park was classified as Rank 1 Environmentally Sensitive Area (ESA) under the National Physical Plan and accorded the highest status of protection.
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