The small waterfall and a stream make this spot a great place for snapping a postcard picture or a selfie. (Muhammad Rabbani Jamian @ FMT Lifestyle)

KUALA LUMPUR:

Life in a big city like Kuala Lumpur would be unbearable if there were no green pockets to give you respite from the smog, the traffic jams and the concrete skyline.

KL folk should thank their lucky stars that there are a few oases they can escape to that are not too far away from wherever they happen to be. One such place is the IWK Eco Park.

IWK is short for Indah Water Consortium and the sports and recreational park is in Pantai Dalam, just about 10km from the city centre. It offers visitors a wide range of facilities and a lot of greenery.

“This place we are standing on now is built on top of the largest and most modern plant in the region, the Pantai 2 Regional Sewage Treatment Plant,” IWK head of corporate communications Wan Esuriyanti Ahmad told a visiting FMT Lifestyle team.

Don’t let that repel you, though. The plant is underground and won’t give off any bad odour.

The sewage treatment plant is underneath what is called the Sky River. (Muhammad Rabbani Jamian @ FMT Lifestyle)

The treatment plant and the park were completed by the government in 2015, after which they were handed over to Indah Water to be maintained.

During a tour by FMT Lifestyle, Esuriyanti pointed out the many amenities available. These include courts for futsal, basketball, badminton, volleyball, sepak takraw, tennis and ping pong and a football field.

According to Esuriyanti, residents and students from nearby areas would go to the park to exercise or train for upcoming competitions, giving the place a lively and energetic vibe, particularly on weekends.

Enjoy a walk or a jog on the park’s concrete tracks. (Muhammad Rabbani Jamian @ FMT Lifestyle)

The badminton hall was used as a Covid-19 screening centre and vaccination spot during the pandemic.

“Since it was closed for a significant amount of time, a number of facilities fell into disrepair and lots of refurbishments were needed, which we are still doing,” Esuriyanti said.

“It also serves as our multi-purpose hall, and we have held many weddings since reopening. It can accommodate up to 500 people comfortably.”

A game of futsal in progress. (Muhammad Rabbani Jamian @ FMT Lifestyle)

There’s also a jogging track and a children’s playground, where you can enjoy a leisurely time with family and friends.

The park is also home to Khazanah Rimba, an urban forest area meant to provide a green environment for nearby communities. There are trees such as terap, merbau, sentol and kekatong to serve as a shady backdrop to the park’s tranquil and serene environment.

Fancy a picnic on your off day? There are many glam picnic spots available. All you have to do is bring your food. The rest is taken care of, down to the seats and picnic mats.

One of the picnic spots in the park. (IWK Eco Park pic)

If you like a barbecue setup where you can gather in front of a fire with friends and family, you can rent a barbecue pit.

“Our objective here is not to make money but to give back to the community,” Esuriyanti said. “The rental fees we charge for the facilities are just to cover our maintenance and operational costs.”

The park’s management is in the process of obtaining a permit to enable food trucks to do business in the park and to bring about an urban street-dining vibe.

There are also plans to provide charging stations for electric vehicles.

So, if you are looking to enjoy a nice day in the park with loved ones, why not give IWK Eco Park a go?

Follow IWK Eco Park on Facebook and Instagram or head to its website for booking information.

IWK Eco Park
102, Jalan Kampung Pasir
Kampung Pasir
58200 Kuala Lumpur

Contact: 03-22420420

Email: [email protected]