Two trees have so far been felled at the park along Jalan Intan 2, Taman Puchong Intan. — IZZRAFIQ ALIAS/The Star
SOME of my happiest memories are of running around the undulating terrain of my neighbourhood park with the evening breeze blowing against my face.
Growing up next to a huge green lung dotted with trees, a large lake, wide pathways and lots of play equipment was wonderful.My parents called it the “garden”.
I will never forget the thrill of getting a kite up in the air which I had made earlier with my late father.
The sheer pleasure of watching our colourful creation dancing in the breeze is another childhood memory I treasure.
For me the “garden” was magical as dad was into nature crafts and would get me to collect rubber tree seeds to turn into helicopters and seed pods to make into sail boats which we floated on the lake.
Each time I see a park, it brings back wonderful memories of our “garden”, Taman Jaya in Petaling Jaya.
Yesterday was Earth Day and the United Nations’ Brundtland Commission in its report “Our Common Future” had defined sustainable development as “development that meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs”.
Some three weeks ago, it was discovered that the Subang Jaya City Council (MBSJ) had approved plans to build a car park with 107 bays on a 0.68ha pocket park at Jalan Intan 2 in Taman Puchong Intan.
Nearby residents who saw chainsaws at the site were shattered that their idyllic park would soon be gone.My heart sank when I saw workers felling a Yellow Flame tree with its large canopy which gave ample shade at a children’s playground. It was the second tree that was cut down.
One justification being tossed around is that fewer people were seen at the pocket park over the past two years. But that was due to the Covid-19 pandemic.
Children’s access to green spaces like parks and even fields is diminishing as decisions are made without realising the long-term negative impacts.
Local authorities, the third tier of government, must start giving to communities instead of constantly taking.
Children in urban areas, no matter where they live, should be able to walk to a public park that the local council is mandated to upkeep, including ensuring patrols are conducted by enforcement personnel.
Another reason given for taking away the park was that undesirable elements were using it but whose fault is that?
Allowing land categorised as open public space to be turned into a car park is wrong.
MBSJ must issue a stop-work order and conduct a survey on suitable places in the immediate area which can be converted into street parking.
There is a perception that there is never enough parking, but the reality is different.
For example, there are abandoned cars in open-air parking bays off Jalan Intan 2 which have not been towed away.
Participatory processes which involve all residents and community leaders on new development projects are needed.
Their feedback is crucial in planning urban public spaces that will help build a sense of ownership.
My wish is that all children in urban areas of Selangor, including those in Taman Puchong Intan, will continue to have easy access to public green spaces.
To paraphrase Joni Mitchell’s Big Yellow Taxi lyrics, don’t pave “paradise and put up a parking lot.”
