UPGRADED public parks in Johor Baru are drawing thousands of visitors, reflecting a growing appetite for accessible, well-maintained green spaces in an increasingly urbanised city.
The transformation has also put the city’s public parks in the international spotlight, with Danga Park earning recognition at the World Urban Parks Awards 2026.
The recognition comes as Johor Baru City Council’s (MBJB) Danga Park project won the New Park Project in the Asia Pacific Region category.
The award ceremony, from Oct 7 to 9, will take place in Istanbul, Turkiye.
International accolade
MBJB said, in a statement, that Danga Park was among 28 winners from around the world.
The city council said the recognition was significant and an acknowledgement of its Landscape Department’s efforts in developing the park.
Danga Park, it said, was designed as a modern, inclusive and well-equipped public park.
MBJB said the recognition should spur it to pursue greater innovation and excellence, both at home and abroad.
The accolade is a feather in the cap for Danga Park, which has become one of Johor Baru’s latest recreational attractions and drawn large crowds following its transformation.
State housing and local government committee chairman Datuk Mohd Jafni Md Shukor said the encouraging response showed that investment in public spaces had improved residents’ quality of life.
As of July 31, Hutan Bandar MBJB recorded 112,479 visitors, while Taman Merdeka attracted 34,535. Danga Park, meanwhile, saw 290,408 visitors over the same corresponding period.
Mohd Jafni said based on the figures, there was growing public interest in upgraded recreational facilities.
“The local authority’s role is not only to manage the city, but also to provide a comfortable, safe and quality environment for the people,” he added.
The Bukit Permai assemblyman said continuous maintenance and upgrading were necessary to keep the parks attractive and welcoming to visitors.
Hutan Bandar MBJB
One of Johor Baru’s established recreational areas, Hutan Bandar MBJB is a prime example of this transformation.
In May 2024, Mohd Jafni announced a state allocation of RM6mil to upgrade infrastructure and public amenities at Hutan Bandar.
The works included improvements to lighting, parking facilities, entrance gate, water theme park and camping site.
Mohd Jafni said the project aimed to give Hutan Bandar a refreshed look while making it brighter and safer, particularly for those exercising at night.
“We want to ensure Hutan Bandar remains a comfortable and safe recreational area for the people,” he had said.
The plans subsequently expanded into a more extensive transformation.
In May 2025, Mohd Jafni said RM10.3mil had been allocated to upgrade Hutan Bandar in three phases, including improvements to its children’s pool, campsite and jogging tracks.
The impact was particularly evident after the opening of its new water recreation facilities.
On March 23 this year, 4,500 visitors were recorded at Hutan Bandar on opening day, with about 1,200 using the water-based attractions.
Mohd Jafni said the strong turnout reflected growing demand for quality park amenities in Johor Baru, particularly affordable recreational spaces where families could spend time together without travelling far from the city.
The park now combines green spaces, recreational facilities and attractions catering to different age groups.
However, its growing popularity also means greater attention is needed to ensure the facilities remain safe, clean and well maintained.
Mohd Jafni said 36 personnel, including enforcement officers, park rangers, lifeguards, security personnel and cleaning staff, were stationed at Hutan Bandar.
“The deployment of personnel is important to ensure safety, cleanliness and orderliness at the park,” he said.
The need for proper upkeep was highlighted when the water park was temporarily closed in March following reports of vandalism and cleanliness issues.
The incident prompted the state government to remind visitors to take greater responsibility in caring for public facilities.
Mohd Jafni said the facilities could only be well maintained if visitors played their part.
“We hope visitors take care of the facilities and not damage or misuse them as they belong to the community,” he said.
Taman Merdeka
The same principle applies to Taman Merdeka, a popular recreational area in Johor Baru.
In 2024, RM3.47mil was allocated for repairs to the park’s landscape infrastructure, aimed at improving its overall condition.
The following year, the state government listed Taman Merdeka among several high-impact projects to be upgraded ahead of the Visit Johor 2026 campaign.
Mohd Jafni said a further RM2.7mil was allocated for upgrading works as part of a wider programme covering public recreational areas and other city facilities.
“We want our public parks to be safe and comfortable for families to spend time in,” he said.
Besides improving their appearance, the aim was to ensure parks remained functional and valuable spaces for the community, he added.
This reflects a growing recognition of the role public parks play, with recreational spaces increasingly seen as key to a city’s liveability and tourism appeal.
Danga Park perhaps best illustrates this evolution.
Danga Park
Opened on May 29, the upgraded park quickly drew thousands of visitors.
Mohd Jafni said some 7,000 visitors had arrived by 9.30pm on opening night, with attendance reaching 10,000 by 11pm.
The new park’s attractions include a sky bridge, children’s playground, dry water play area, recreational spaces and improved landscaping.
The state government, he said, had positioned Danga Park as a new landmark for Johor Baru and an attraction supporting Visit Johor 2026.
Mohd Jafni said the upgraded Danga Park was now a popular gathering spot for locals and visitors.
“Public parks are not only recreational areas. They are places where families and communities can come together,” he said.
He added that visitor feedback had helped local authorities improve its services and ensure facilities met community needs.
The World Urban Parks Awards marks a milestone for Danga Park on the international stage, placing it alongside notable urban park projects globally.
MBJB said the award reflected its commitment to creating public spaces that serve the wider community.
The popularity of Hutan Bandar, Taman Merdeka and Danga Park, it said, reflected the importance residents placed on accessible, safe and attractive recreational spaces.
MBJB said the parks catered to a range of needs, from exercise and outdoor recreation to family activities and leisure.
With usage on the rise, the challenge is maintaining the parks through upkeep, cleanliness, safety and regular improvements.
Mohd Jafni stressed the need for proper monitoring and quality workmanship to ensure projects deliver long-term value.
“We want these projects to have a lasting impact, not just look attractive when they are newly completed,” he said.
With thousands of visitors recorded at the three parks and Danga Park gaining international recognition, the green investment is clearly paying off.
The priority now is to ensure it translates into lasting value for Johor Baru and its residents.
A public swimming pool at Hutan Bandar MBJB attracts children and adults during long weekends and school holidays.
Taman Merdeka in Johor Baru is a popular choice among parkgoers to unwind, exercise or spend time with their families.
The modern and newly opened Danga Park earned recognition at the World Urban Parks Awards 2026.
A family walking through the elevated walkway at Danga Park in Johor Baru.
Hutan Bandar MBJB’s green grounds offer visitors calm respite from the concrete jungle.
Children playing at a newly upgraded and modern playground at Hutan Bandar MBJB in Johor Baru.
