More than 300 people turned up for the opening of a new recreational park at Jalan Menteri Besar, Berakas, and a walkathon to commemorate World Environment Day yesterday.

Spanning 32 hectares, the recreational park is located near government offices and buildings, including the Ministry of Health, Ministry of Finance, Customs and Excise Department, Immigration and National Registration Department and the State Legislative Council.

The area was previously used as a dumping site for the Brunei-Muara District until 1987, when it was relocated to the Sungai Akar Landfill.

Under the Eighth National Development Plan, the project includes quality monitoring of the soil and water on ground surface, landscaping, and the preparation of a number of facilities for public use such as internal roads and walkways and resting huts.

Additional facilities such as designated parking areas and public toilets will be ready after the second phase of the park's development.

Officiating the launch of the new park was Minister of Development Pehin Orang Kaya Hamzah Pahlawan Dato Seri Setia Hj Abdullah Begawan Mudim Dato Paduka Hj Bakar.

Organised by the Ministry of Development's Environment, Parks and Recreation Department (Jastre), the whole-day event saw people from all ages participating in the morning health and fitness activities.

The minister led the crowd for the Green Walk at the park, which lasted for about 30 minutes.

One of the representatives for the event said that the Green Walk was aimed to promote World Environment Day by encouraging the public to take good care of the environment and lead a healthy lifestyle.

"The new recreational park is a perfect place for jogging, hiking or even a place for family gatherings. The location is very strategic as it's located close to several government buildings, so workers can actually drop by the park right after work without having to travel far."

"At the same time, we are promoting this new recreational park and announcing to the public that the park is finally open to everyone to be used for health and fitness activities or family gatherings," he added.

Other side activities were also conducted throughout the day at the park, including bouncers for children, horse-riding, karaoke singing and a remote control race.

A participant of the Green Walk said that he no longer has to travel all the way to Tasek Lama or Bukit Shahbandar to enjoy nature trails since he lives close to the new park.

"At first I didn't know there's going to be a park built here, until today. It's good to know that the authorities are creating more parks around Brunei since the country has been short of parks for many years."

Abdul Hadi, a frequent runner at the nearby national sports complex area, was already excited to try out the park on his next run.

"Sometimes it can be dangerous to jog around the stadium since the running paths are too close to the main roads and at times I had to cross them, being careful not to be hit by cars passing by. But it seems much safer here since it's much more enclosed, with lots of shade and I could feel more connected to nature."

Nur Adlina Hj Ya'akum, a student from Raja Isteri Pengiran Anak Damit Female Secondary Religious Arabic School (Suamripad), said that the park could be further improved.

"The park could use more trees because at the moment it looks so dry. Even the ponds look more like a rainwater puddle."

She added: "The location is ideal, but do I hope the authorities could make the park a more interesting place by improving the vegetation and the ponds, and adding a playground and more amenities along the way." (ADI1)