“I work in Mampang Prapatan, South Jakarta. Every day after returning from work in the late afternoon, I bring my son here to play, and at the same time, I can also get rid of my fatigue here and hang out with my neighbors,” said Bagas’ father, Dwi Mayda, 41.

For Dwi and other parents in Cideng, the scenic RPTRA Taman Kenanga serves as an open play area for their growing children as well as a public park, a sports field, a cultural venue and a location for general socializing.

While the city struggles to fulfill the demand for public spaces amid the land shortage, Jakartans of all ages across its many subdistricts have been using their local RPTRAs for all kinds of activities.

Taman Kenanga RPTRA manager Handi Maulana said the park offered a suitable spot for the elderly in Cideng, many of who regularly joined aerobics or dance classes each morning to keep fit.

“On weekends, there are  also gymnastics, yoga and aerobics classes for women,” he said. “The Central Jakarta Tourism and Culture Agency regularly organizes qasidah [Islamic pop music] workshop for them, too.”

Handi added that the qasidah workshop was held at the 20-square-meter multipurpose room next to the library at the RPTRA. The group, whose members were all female residents of Cideng, held a performance there every three months to show the results of their training.

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