The Covid-19 situation in Jakarta is going towards a much better condition. The activity restriction has gone down to level one. As a Jakartan, we feel much more at ease, especially now that the green spaces have been gradually reopened. In the last article, we talked about green spaces that have been reopened, now we’ll go for a stroll around Suropati Park in Central Jakarta.

Reading Books, Roller Skating and Fun Things To Do at Suropati Park

Staying at home more than a year, it's not weird if we feel super stressed. Studying and working continuously in a room can be frustrating. Therefore, the reopening of Suropati Park has become a sanctuary for those who long for the green sceneries. There are several reasons that make Suropati Park become a main go-to park for people to unwind. First, the location is easy to spot and it’s public transportation-friendly. If you’re a Commuter Line user, you can get off at Cikini Station, and for Transjakarta users, you can hop on the 4, 4D or 6M bus and get off at Halimun Shelter. Second, this 16,328 m² of green space can be visited for free. Take your roller skates that have been idle for over a year and go for a skate. Third, there are many lush trees that offer a peaceful feeling for us who stop by.

When I first arrived at Suropati Park, I was a bit surprised because some of the accesses to the park were closed. Turned out, during the activity restriction, the entrance was only opened in one direction, which is on the side of Jalan Suropati (parallel to the Suropati Post Police). To enter the park, you must be vaccinated and then fill out the guest book. After getting my temperature checked, the staff let me in and I sat down on a bench near the fountain.

One of the fountains in Suropati Park

In my opinion, rather than for a picnic, Suropati Park is more suitable for just sitting around or reading a book. You can bring your own books or read one that’s available on the Bookhive. The park has lots of benches so it’s perfect for relaxing while being sheltered by the greenery. The trickling sound of the fountain and the birds chirping matched perfectly with the gentle gust of wind made me almost forget that I was in Jakarta.

One of the birdhouses

The Bookhive. Everybody is welcome to read!

This was my first visit after the park is reopened. That day, it was quiet, maybe because it was during working hours. There are only a handful of visitors, sitting on the benches soaking up the serene atmosphere. I can hear the sound of the staff’s broom who are diligently sweeping the fallen leaves, making sure not one leaf is left on the ground.
 

Reflexology area

One of the visitors’ favorite spots in Suropati is the reflexology area, which is paved by the white stones. People say that walking barefoot on its bumpy surfaces can relax the body and even bring positive impact to the organs in the body.

Want to take instagrammable shots? Sure you can! Actually, some of my high school friends even took their yearbook pictures here. Prepare your camera, your best angle, and believe me, the beautiful and natural background will make your photo insta-worthy! An important note, when taking pictures, please pay attention to where you stand. Don’t let the grass get trampled.

Not Only For Recreation, Green Spaces Also Functions to Absorb Rainwater

The tranquility that’s offered by the park might make us think that green spaces only function as a place of recreation. However, Suropati Park is grown with 93 shade trees that can bind the water in the soil. The mahogany tree is one of the stars here. Growing humongous and branching high, the mahogany brings you serenity when you look at it. It’s a known fact that since a long time ago, mahogany trees have been used to absorb pollutants. Thanks to this majestic tree, we can feel the blissfulness while staying around. The strong taproot of the mahogany is also able to store water that seeps into the ground, so it can contain water during the rainy season. Besides mahogany, there are ketapang trees, tanjung, bungur, khaya, and sapodilla trees that grow soaring around Suropati Park.

The majestic mahogany trees

Maintain Health Protocols When Visiting

Although many green spaces have been opened to the public, we need to stick to the health protocols because the pandemic is not over yet. There will be officers walking around to remind visitors who aren’t wearing masks properly. So, please prepare your masks and hand sanitizer if you want to hang around. 

[Tips on Safe Recreation in Jakarta During a Pandemic]

The park is open from 7 am to 5 pm with a limited capacity of visitors. Therefore, pay attention to the time prior to your visit. Lastly, don't forget to check in and check out using Safe Entrance on JAKI. Get the application on the Play Storeor App Store. Enjoy and soak up the green scenery!