PENANG plans to establish the state's first-ever aged-friendly community park in Lip Sin Gardens here as the state attains the status of an aging population.
The Department of Statistics Malaysia projected that by this year, 7.7% of Penang's population, or 143,805 residents, will be aged 65 and above, positioning Penang as the second state with the largest elderly population in Malaysia, after Perak.
The percentage of the population aged 66 and above is around 7.7% whereby seven per cent is the benchmark for an ageing state, according to the United Nations.
Taking this into account, the Bayan Baru parliamentary and the Batu Uban state constituencies collaborated with the Penang Island City Council (MBPP) to produce a park friendly to senior citizens as well as the general population.
It is located at Lengkok Nipah off Lip Sin Gardens, a predominantly working-class housing area here.
This project marks a significant step towards creating inclusive public spaces for the local community, especially the aged group, said MBPP Lord Mayor and President Datuk A. Rajendran here.
The groundbreaking ceremony was held yesterday and attended by Bayan Baru MP Sim Tze Tzin, Batu Uban assemblyman Kumaresan Arumugam, Rajendran, and city councillors Visvenathan Tangavello and Chan Soon Aun.
The community park covers nearly an acre and is expected to be completed by Sept.
“The project was awarded through open tender to Tetuan Ilham Urus Sdn Bhd, began on Jan 6 this year at a cost of RM700,000," Rajendran revealed.
This initiative aligns with the state government’s mission to transform Penang Island into an age-friendly city by this year.
The park has facilities to cater to those faced with mobility issues and will feature a variety of amenities designed to meet the needs of all senior citizens.
These include pedestrian walkways, children’s playground equipment, exercise stations, a stage, a plaza, an amphitheatre, a garden entrance statement, concrete benches, wheelchair-accessible seating, wheelchair-friendly pathways, motorcycle barriers, concrete bollards, park lighting, and tree planting to enhance greenery.
Rajendran also emphasised the park’s age-friendly design, underscoring its potential to encourage the old to engage in recreational activities and lead healthier lifestyles.
“This development underscores MBPP’s commitment to creating inclusive spaces that promote community well-being and sustainability,” he said.
Sim highlighted the transformation of the site, which had previously deteriorated into a parking lot due to lack of maintenance.
“We are prioritising the needs of the 50,000 residents in this area who currently lack a dedicated neighbourhood park for recreation. This project is for the greater good of the community,” Sim said. - January 28, 2025.
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