TheJakartaPost
Please Update your browser
Your browser is out of date, and may not be compatible with our website. A list of the most popular web browsers can be found below.
Just click on the icons to get to the download page.
RPTRA Krendang closed for river revitalization project
Cooling off: Children play in the Duri River, which sits next to integrated child-friendly public space (RPTRA) Krendang, West Jakarta, on Monday to counter the stifling heat
Change Size
C
ooling off: Children play in the Duri River, which sits next to integrated child-friendly public space (RPTRA) Krendang, West Jakarta, on Monday to counter the stifling heat.(JP/Wendra Ajistyatama)
Six-year-old Elisa could not contain her disappointment on Monday afternoon after finding out that she could not do her favorite after school activity: Playing in the playground of integrated child-friendly public space (RPTRA) Krendang in Tambora, West Jakarta.
The RPTRA is temporarily closed because of a restoration project on Duri River, which is adjacent to the RPTRA. Heavy equipment is currently being used to install sheetpiles along the river. Fences and guardrails separating the area from the river have been torn down and replaced by iron sheets. Some parts of the sports field and kids playground are closed and cannot be used.
“I often take Elisa here after school to play for a while before going back home. We live in a densely populated area, there’s no place to play. She really loves being here. I hope the project will finish soon,” Maria, Elisa’s mother said.
According to RPTRA Krendang operator Dede Nasrudin, the 2,600-square-meter RPTRA is vital for the area because it is visited by residents from three subdistricts, namely Jembatan Besi, Duri and Krendang itself.
The river restoration project, aimed at preventing floods, was started in August and is expected to be completed in December.
“We welcome around 300, even as many as 500, visitors of all ages each day. Children love playing in the playground or doing their homework under a tree. The teenagers like using our sport fields,” Dede told The Jakarta Post.
“We’re sad to have to temporarily halt our regular activities, but the river restoration project is important. We should be patient while ensuring our safety,” he added.
On any given day, Dede said, people flocked to the RPTRA at any time. In the morning, the elderly and middle-aged residents use the park for morning exercise. From 10 a.m. until noon, kindergarten and elementary school students play in the playground or do their homework before heading home.
In the afternoon, teenagers come for various purposes, such as playing in the basketball and futsal fields.
Dede also said the RPTRA management held a number of activities there, including a drama club, dance club, qasidah (Islamic musical art) club and marawis (Betawi percussion group) club. Youth group Karang Taruna also regularly holds meetings and programs in the RPTRA.
“Now they can no longer meet regularly, I sometimes gather them in my house. Just to maintain the relationships among [Karang Taruna] members,” Dede said while laughing.
“The closest RPTRA from here is Kalijodo. But it’s 2 kilometers away from here. Too far,” he added.
Krendang subdistrict’s head of government section Hernandang said the company carrying out the project, PT Basuki Yasa, had promised to repair all of the RPTRA’s facilities that are ruined during the project.
“The company’s representative has signed an agreement with our subdistrict head [Andre Ravnic],” he said.
Hernandang admitted the company once stacked the sheetpiles and other materials in the RPTRA’s area.But as of Monday, they have been moved to another place along the river.
“We’ve actually never experienced flooding. But this is only a small part along a river some 2 kilometers long. This is good and we totally support [the project],” he said.
According to wartakota.tribunnews.com’s report, the agreement letter stipulates four points.
First, the company promised to repair the playground and sports field impacted by the project. Second, the company will reinstall guardrails encircling the RPTRA to ensure the children’s safety.
Third, the company will replace demolished walls with permanent walls. Lastly, the company will beautify the RPTRA’s garden. All of these measures will be carried out after the river restoration project is finished.
Hernandang said the repair of the RPTRA would not use the city’s budget.
Head of the RPTRA management unit at the Jakarta Child Protection and Population Control Agency (PPAPP), Togi Duma Sianturi, said that, as part of the city administration’s program, the RPTRA management should support the river restoration project as it was for the greater good.
“This is the only RPTRA in the city that is located near such a project,” she said.
