KUCHING: Reservoir Park, one of the oldest parks in the city, is now known as Unity Park, in line with the recognition of Kuching as a City of Unity.
The park highlights various aspects of diversity in addition to boasting a design based on the cultures existing in Sarawak.
Surrounded by lush greenery, the park has been the choice of many to spend their leisure and engage in recreational activities.
A survey made by New Sarawak Tribune in the morning found that the park’s facilities have been improved, including the condition of the road pavement, monuments, signboards, gazebos, playgrounds and many others.
Many locals throng the park in the early morning for leisure activities with family and friends.
Nur Amanda Abdullah, 19, said she often tags along with her parents for recreation at Reservoir Park during her free time.
“I just started doing some recreational activities here last year, after the spread of Covid-19 and I can see various new modifications to the park now.
“Compared to my last visit here, there have been changes in terms of the number of gazebos, road pavement and children’s playgrounds. It is definitely better than before,” she said.
Nurul Suhana Zaitol, 20, said the rebranding of the park’s name to Unity Park suits the lifestyle of the community here.
She said the locals who visited the park are not limited to certain races but all walks of life including tourists.
Suhana hoped that this could be maintained until the next generation to ensure unity among the community can be strengthened.
Forty-four-year-old Mokhsen Armat said the latest changes in the park are very apparent compared to his visit during his bachelor days.
“It was always known as Reservoir Park during my schooling days so individuals from my time are familiar with the name.
“Renewing the name of the park is not a problem. As long as the use of this place remains and its condition is always maintained. That is what we want.
“It is hoped that the relevant parties can maintain the beauty of this area, and even make this place a heritage park,” he said.
Another visitor who wished to be known as Mike, who is in his 50s, also expressed his excitement at the progress of the park which is constantly improving.
The Sarawak Heritage Association said that this park was once a water supply site that provided treated water since 1895.
Based on information from the Sarawak Tourism website, the water reservoir was no longer used and was replaced by a larger installation in Matang by the 1930s.
The entire area was re-landscaped by building and upgrading footbridges, pavements, walkways and the auditorium in 1975.
After it was completed, the park captured the hearts of the community and became a hot spot for joggers, and even used as a location to take wedding portraits.
