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akartans may only be familiar with a few well-maintained parks in the city such as Suropati Park in Menteng, Central Jakarta. However, there are a number of less popular parks across the capital that are worth a visit, especially for families with children.

Here are some hidden parks where you can exercise or simply enjoy family time.

Dadap Merah Park

Nestled in a lush residential area on Jl. Kebagusan Dalam, Jagakarsa, South Jakarta, Dadap Merah Park is not known by most Jakarta residents although it has been around for three years.

'€œI have been to many parks in Jakarta and I love this one the most because it is not as popular as others, so it is really peaceful,'€ parkgoer Zuliani told The Jakarta Post on Thursday.

The 1.3-hectare park features a jogging track, a small river, a playground and a sizeable man-made lake. The river looks relatively clear, but it carries household garbage that ends up in the lake. Park attendants said they had reported the situation to the Jakarta Parks and Cemetery Agency.

Besides Dadap Merah Park, there are three other public parks located in the area '€” Spathodea, Miring and Tanjung parks. The easiest access by public transportation is by taking the Tanah Abang-Bogor train and getting off at Tanjung Barat station.

Langsat Park

Langsat Park in Kebayoran, South Jakarta, was once notorious for its spooky image, after being featured in local horror movies. But urban activists have held various fun activities at the park to rebrand its image. The Hidden Park community, for example, held its first Hidden Park series at Langsat Park.

It was later rebranded as a space designated for the elderly, though residents from different age groups can still enjoy the public park. It has a jogging track, playground and stone reflexology path.

Tebet Honda Park

Despite its proximity to Jl. MT Haryono in South Jakarta, Tebet Honda Park is well hidden from the hustle and bustle of the main thoroughfare. The 2.6-hectare park features a shady area where visitors can picnic on green grass, an open area for sports activities, benches, a playground and a jogging track.

To reach the park, go straight from the Pancoran intersection to the Tebet Indraya Square (TIS) restaurant. Slow down when you see a Pertamina gas station on the left. Enter the gas station and take a small one-way access road located in the right corner. Go straight ahead and you will find the park.

The park only provides a small parking space for motorcycles. Transjakarta bus passengers can stop at the Tebet shelter and walk to the park.

Cattleya Park

Cattleya Park is located on the left side of the intersection of Jl. S. Parman and Jl. Tomang in West Jakarta.

Although the park is on the highway, many people do not notice it, so you need to pay extra attention when traveling along Jl. S. Parman from Slipi.

The 3-hectare park is equipped with facilities like a jogging track, a toilet, benches and adequate parking space. It also has many varieties of trees and a small lake. Cattleya Park is perfect for a morning jog as it is not too crowded. Unfortunately, some parts of the park are rather dark at night.

Putra Putri Park

Located on Jl. Pluit Putra Raya and Jl. Pluit Putri Raya in Pluit subdistrict, North Jakarta, Putra Putri Park used to be occupied by around 120 illegal vendors until city-owned PT Jakarta Propertindo (Jakpro) revitalized half of the park last year. The 3.3-hectare park features swings and slides for children, a one-kilometer jogging track and reflexology stones for the elderly.

The city also installed a four-meter high statue of a female Betawi dancer as the icon of the park. '€œWe will install a male dancer statue once the other half of the park is finished being revitalized,'€ Jakpro president director Budi Karya said. '€” JP