Jakarta is renowned for being a hustling city that never sleeps. As the capital city of Indonesia, Jakarta is overflowed with extensive apartments, residences, shopping centres, and office buildings. You can find residential areas in almost every corner of the city of Jakarta. But now the awareness of proper urban spatial planning is starting to increase. Many spaces in the city of Jakarta have been converted into city parks to overcome the effects of vehicle smoke pollution in this city. In addition, the city park also adds coolness in the midst of the bustle of this busy city. For those of us living in Jakarta, it would be a great relief to be able to sit in a park while relaxing and soothing your mind from the hectic. Jagojalan has listed the 7 best city parks in Jakarta for you to visit. Let's check them out!

1. Suropati Park

Suropati Park (source: wikipedia)

Suropati Park might be the oldest park and most relaxing place in the city of Jakarta. Resting in the upscale Menteng residential area, you can enjoy the scenery of shady trees that decorate the park. Its name, Suropati, is taken from the Balinese slave who rebelled and escaped from his Dutch master in 1684. In addition, you can also see a series of statues representing each of the original six members of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) sitting against the backdrop of greenery. They represent friendship, peace, harmony, and fraternity. There is also a jogging track in this city park.

What's interesting about this park is that there are activities held in this park every weekend. You can join a free yoga class, aerobic class, and even violin practice. Furthermore, you can also watch free music performances from some local musicians from various genres. But you're welcome to give a tip to express your appreciation. You can also see street artists sell their works alongside the park. Follow this direction to go there!

2. Mangrove Forest

mangrove forest (source: jakartamangrove.id)

Mangrove Forest is part of Muara Angke Wildlife Sanctuary. The area was protected since the colonial rule of the Dutch Indies on 17 June 1939, covering 15,4 hectares of the land. During the 1960s, the conservation area was expanded to 1,344.62 hectares. Later, because of human pressure and environmental destruction within and around the national park, some of the mangrove forest areas were destroyed.

On 28 February 1988, the area was declared a Nature Reserve (25,4 ha). In November 1998, the status of this area changed to Wildlife Sanctuary or Suaka Margasatwa (25,02 ha). Muara Angke Wildlife Sanctuary is listed as one of the important bird sanctuaries in Java, protecting bird species such as milky stork and the endemic Sunda coucal. But now, Muara Angke Wildlife Sanctuary is currently facing issues such as mangrove cutting, water pollution (especially in Angke River), and settlements development at the edge of the area.

This wildlife sanctuary is home to various species of birds and various other animals that have been hard to find in other areas of Jakarta. Jakarta Green Monster (an environmental care volunteer community) recorded all 91 species of birds, namely 28 species of water birds and 63 species of forest birds, living in this region. About 17 species of them are protected bird species. As for the vegetation, there are about 30 species of plants and 11 of them are tree species in the mangrove forest. Here is the direction.

3. Tabebuya Park

Tabebuya Park (source: google.com)

This hidden gem dwells in Jagakarsa, South Jakarta. Tabebuya Park has an area of 9,626 square meters and was inaugurated in 2011. Its name, Tabebuya, refers to “trumpet trees” or Tabebuia trees that grow cherry blossom-like flowers in the closing months of the monsoon season which originating from Brazil. Today, tabebuia trees mingle among others on a capacious green yard that makes this park quite pleasant to gaze upon. With jogging tracks and a small fish pond, it's a beautiful city park that every neighbourhood deserves to have. You can do many sports activities here or you can just sit on a gazebo to relax. The direction? Here it is.

4. Pluit Reservoir Park

Pluit Reservoir Park (source: wikipedia)

Lying in Penjaringan, North Jakarta, Pluit Reservoir Park was formerly a slum area that is successfully transformed into a clean and family-friendly park by the popular duo Joko Widodo and Basuki (Ahok) Tjahaja Purnama. The city park has a panoramic view of the Pluit reservoir and skyscrapers from a distance. Shady trees and green grass make this park even more popular.

Pluit Reservoir Park also provides a jogging track that can be used by visitors. Aside from the jogging track, there are also other sports facilities such as an outdoor gym and a basketball court. Also, the reservoir can be a place for fishing. So, apart from being a recreation place, the park can be a great place for sports activities. Follow this direction to go there.

5. Menteng Park

Menteng Park (source: google.com)

Menteng Park is a city park located at Menteng, Central Jakarta, Indonesia. This park was formerly occupied by Menteng Stadium. In October 2006, the stadium was demolished and the park was built on the area by the administration of Sutiyoso. The park is located at the centre of the Menteng residential area. Now it is one of the popular parks in Jakarta. You can easily spot this iconic park because there are several glasshouses in the middle of the park. There are also many food sellers right next to the park. You can sit back and relax while enjoying some snacks. Looking for sports activities? You can find a basketball court, a jogging track, and even a children playground. Truly a complete city park for family recreation. Here is the direction.

6. Tebet Honda Park

Tebet Honda Park (source: google.com)

This formerly named Tebet Park was neglected for a long time until PT Honda Prospect Motor converted and rejuvenated this city park in collaboration with the Jakarta Administration in 2010. Then this 2.6-hectare park was renamed Tebet Honda Park. The park has a spacious area with more than a thousand trees. It also comes with facilities like a jogging track, a children's playground, a mini soccer field, and a modern bridge. Visitors can also pamper themselves to a foot massage by walking on the pebble stone path in the park's area. Or you can just relax while sitting and reading a book while accompanied by the sound of the breeze. Here is the location.

7. National Monument Park (Monas Park)

Monas Park (source: google.com)

The National Monument Park or Jakartans usually call it Monas Park has a total area of 197 acres which makes it one of the biggest city parks in Asia. If you ever come to visit the symbolic Monas, you should never miss visiting this park. With a huge area coverage, the park has lots of big trees with benches under them, visitors can sit and relax while enjoying the breeze. There are also nice pathways for visitors to walk on. You can also see deers that were brought from Bogor palace. At night, you can also watch a dancing fountain performance where the fountain moves and waves to the beat of the music played. An amazing experience that every Jakartans should check out. Follow this direction to go there!

That's the list of the 7 best city parks in Jakarta that you should visit. Whether it's just sitting and relaxing or enjoying the breeze, it's always a good idea for escaping this bustling city for a while by visiting those parks. What are you waiting for? Let's plan and go! Please share your experience while visiting those parks in the comment section below!