Cilincing Lestari Park in Poor Condition with Damaged Facilities and Child-Unfriendly Environment

JAKARTA – Amid the need for safe, child-friendly play spaces in densely populated areas, the condition of Taman Lestari in Cilincing, North Jakarta, is deeply concerning.

Damaged facilities, slippery surfaces, and dirty, muddy areas make this park fall far short of the standards expected for public spaces safe for children. For years, the park has not undergone any significant improvements, despite its supposed role as a safe and comfortable space for children to play and express themselves.

A parent identified as Ita constantly reminds her children to be careful when climbing onto a three-metre-high concrete slide. “Be careful, go slowly,” she tells her children at the park on Thursday, 26 February 2026.

Ita visits Taman Lestari almost every week to bring her two children to play. Because she visits frequently, her children are accustomed to climbing the iron steps leading to the three-metre slide. Nevertheless, Ita never lets her guard down, always standing at the base of the slide to supervise and ensure her children’s safety.

Her concerns are not unfounded. Ita reveals that her child once suffered an injury whilst playing at the park. “My child once fell and hit the slide, injuring their back near the bone, and there was bleeding, but thankfully it wasn’t serious,” she explains.

Additionally, Ita mentions that her child was injured by a broken iron bench. “They also tripped on a broken iron bench and cut their leg,” she adds.

Beyond safety concerns, Ita also complains about the lack of play facilities at the park. “It’s not child-friendly because there are still many muddy areas, the iron benches are broken, and the play equipment is incomplete,” she says.