LETTERS: Taman Botani Perdana or the Lake Gardens is a beautiful green lung for city dwellers.
It's well designed and the Kuala Lumpur City Hall (DBKL) does a superb job of maintaining it. Thousands enjoy its ambience — going for morning walks, jogging and family outings.
There are a few simple measures that DBKL and other agencies could take, at no cost, which will make it so much easier for the public visiting the Gardens.
These concern access and car parking. Since the Covid-19 pandemic hit last year, DBKL has closed all the side gates and has only two main gates open.
Unfortunately, there are almost no parking facilities near these gates. The parking area near the main gate adjacent to the Lake Club is closed for construction work. There is a multistorey car park near Bukit Aman, but the fee is rather steep at RM3 per entry.
As a result, we see people parking illegally along the roads in the vicinity, causing congestion. It's sad to see families with young children walking so far to enter the Gardens.
Sometimes, DBKL would issue parking summons! Meanwhile, there are huge car parks virtually empty at the Bird Park, Tun Razak Memorial and Planetarium. All these are kept closed to public in the early morning when most people are visiting the Gardens.
While I understand that these car parks may not be under the jurisdiction of DBKL, it would be a simple matter for DBKL to coordinate with the agencies concerned to open their car parks to the public a little earlier.
At the same time, DBKL could open the side gates of the Gardens for the public to enter. After all, Covid restrictions have been eased everywhere, and the Gardens are an open area anyway. There is no reason to restrict access.
I appeal to DBKL to do this more for the sake of park visitors. I am sure KLites will greatly appreciate it.
MARK ANTON
Kuala Lumpur
The views expressed in this article are the author's own and do not necessarily reflect those of the New Straits Times