Neglected Children's Playground in Cilincing Plagued by Cat Faeces and Flood Water

Jakarta – The Jakarta Provincial Government has been aggressively pushing the development of Green Open Spaces (RTH) equipped with children’s play facilities.

However, amidst this massive development drive, previously established children’s playgrounds appear neglected and are deteriorating rapidly. One such facility is Taman Lestari in Cilincing, North Jakarta, which now appears abandoned.

During an inspection by Kompas.com at the location, the playground, measuring approximately 20 by 10 metres and situated directly beneath Lestari Bridge, falls far short of being child-friendly.

The green fence that previously surrounded the area has partially disappeared, eliminating the boundary between the playground and the area beneath the bridge. Additionally, the playground floor does not meet children’s safety standards as it lacks rubber tiles. The central area instead uses paving blocks that have become mossy due to frequent exposure to rainwater.

Worryingly, whenever it rains, the central playground area regularly becomes waterlogged and takes a long time to dry out. The surrounding area is covered in red earth with several planted trees. When exposed to rain, the ground becomes extremely slippery.

Beyond being slippery, the earth area frequently serves as a spot where cats defecate. “The ground here is often muddy, children often fall, and many cats defecate here. So we step on their faeces,” said Ita, a local resident.

The central area of the playground contains only two slides approximately three metres tall, constructed from cement and painted grey. The paint on these slides is visibly peeling and the surface becomes slippery when stepped on. Moreover, the base of the slides directly borders hard paving blocks, creating a potential injury hazard if children fall.