The Sriwedari Amusement Park was established on March 31, 1985 and has left its visitors with many sweet memories. However, the park’s history came to an end on Dec. 4, 2017. 

The Surakarta administration has decided not to extend the rental period for Sriwedari management and therefore forced the latter to seek another site for amusement park. One of the options is the Taru Jurug Animal Park (TSTJ). However, the high rental fee at Jurug imposed by the  administration, who manages the animal park, was the main reason behind the closure of the iconic park.

Sriwedari General Manager Sinyo Sujarkasi said the rental fee had skyrocketed from Rp 38 million (US$2,815) per month in the current location on Jl. Slamet Riyadi to Rp 600 million in the new location in Jurug. Sriwedari could also rent the place for four years.

The amusement park’s closure has disappointed many Surakartans as the park’s ticket price, between Rp 3,000 and Rp 10,000, was affordable for people from all walks of life. Achma, a 40-year-old visitor, said that Sriwedari Park had been her favorite leisure destination during her childhood.

When it was first established the park only had a Ferris wheel, bumper cars and boats for kids. From there, the management added dangdut, rock and pop music entertainment. Noted singers such as rocker Ahmad Albar, legend Koes Plus and dangdut diva Inul Daratista have all performed at Sriwedari Park.  

Historically, the site of Sriwedari Amusement Park has been used as a park by Surakartans since the reign of King Pakubuwana X. Aside from entertainment, the site has also been the location of a zoo and has held performing arts shows, such as wayang. Sriwedari is also located next to Indonesia’s oldest museum, the Radya Pustaka Museum, while Sriwedari Stadium hosted the first National Games. [yan]