Early bird: A child runs along the edge of a lake at Ayodya Park on Jl. Barito, South Jakarta, on Sunday morning. The Jakarta administration moved hundreds of flower and pets vendors to revamp the 7,500-meter-square park. (JP/Triwik Kurniasari)

The official opening of the newly revamped Ayodya Park in Kebayoran Lama, South Jakarta, on Sunday drew mixed reactions from local residents, with some welcoming the additional outside space while others claimed there were not enough trees.

“I like this place, especially the lake. I thought the lake was newly built by the administration but was surprised to learn it has been there for years,” Lia said.

“I never once saw the lake because it was blocked by dozens of street vendors’ kiosks,” said the 29-year-old, who lives about 300 meters from the park.     

The park, located on Jl. Barito, was built around the lake, and has been part of Kebayoran Baru since 1948. From the 1970s onward, pet and flower vendors began occupying the area and establishing kiosks in the vicinity.

In 2008, the city administration decided to relocate hundreds of the vendors and restore the park.

Another visitor, Jumikem, 44, said the open space provided she and her husband with a place to jog.  

“Now, I don’t have to go to Senayan [in Central Jakarta], which is far from my home, to get some exercise,” Jumikem said.

“I come here every Sunday morning with my husband. I like taking a jog around the track in the park,” said Jumikem.

Some park-goers complained there were not enough large trees in the park, despite it occupying a 7,500-meter-square area.

“There is only one big tree that offers shelter for us. When the sun becomes too hot, I have to take my children home,” said Rianti.

“There are only palm trees and they do not offer enough protection from the sunlight,” said the 29-year-old mother of two.

Some urban experts have already slammed the Ayodya Park development, claiming it does not meet certain city park standards.  

Basuki Triwidodo, the winner of the landscape contest on which the park development was based, said he was not involved in the renovation of the park.

The administration did not use some parts of his design, he said.

“I planned to have six wells available at the park to allow rainwater to flow from the lake and maintain its quality. I also planned a playground and fitness section for children and sports fans,” said Basuki.

Governor Fauzi Bowo said the administration decided not to build the fitness section because it was afraid the facilities would be vandalized if left unguarded by security.  

The administration hopes to expand green areas in Jakarta from the existing 9.6 percent to 13.94 percent by 2010.

In the past two years, it has evicted squatters and vendors from some of the area in an effort to redesign the park.

The administration is planning on building parks in other city areas, including on Jl. Borobudur in Pegangsaan in Central Jakarta, Kebon Pisang in North Jakarta and Tebet in South Jakarta.

“We are preparing the land acquisition for the first two areas,” said Dwi Bintarto from the parks division at the city parks and cemetery agency.

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