MBKS upgrades Kuching Park playground with rubber safety flooring

KUCHING (March 7): The playground at Kuching Park under the Kuching South City Council (MBKS) is now equipped with safety flooring designed to reduce the risk of injuries, particularly among children.

Kuching South mayor Datuk Wee Hong Seng said the worn-out playground flooring had been replaced with a new impact-absorbing rubber safety surface.

“This new flooring is made from recycled styrene-butadiene rubber (SBR) granules, which provide better cushioning and help reduce the risk of injury when children play,” he said when witnessing the upgraded playground safety flooring at the park here on Friday (March 6).

Wee said the contractor had successfully completed the works and handed over the site to MBKS.

This, he said, marked another step in MBKS’ continued efforts to ensure that its public parks remain safe, enjoyable and welcoming for everyone in the community.

According to him, Kuching Park is one of the most popular recreational parks in the city.

“Every day, we see children playing, families spending time together, people exercising and senior citizens enjoying their morning walks.

“Because this park is used by people of all ages, it is very important that the facilities here are safe and well maintained,” he pointed out.

The mayor said the upgrading project reflects MBKS’ commitment to building a city that cares for all generations.

“It supports our Child Friendly Cities Initiative (CFCI) as well as our effort to become a more age-friendly city.

“When we improve our playgrounds and public spaces, we are creating a healthier environment where children can play safely, families can gather comfortably and seniors can continue to stay active,” he added.

Wee said the project is also part of the MBKS CFCI Action Plan under Theme 4: Every Child Participates, which focuses on creating child-friendly green and garden spaces.

“What makes this project even more meaningful is that the material used comes from recycled tyres. Instead of becoming waste, these tyres are processed and turned into useful materials for public facilities.

“This supports the idea of a circular economy, where waste is transformed into valuable resources,” he emphasised.

He added that this project supports several United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, promoting good health and wellbeing, strengthens sustainable and inclusive cities, and encourages responsible use of resources through recycling.

The mayor said they look forward to seeing children and families return to enjoy a safer, brighter and more welcoming playground at Kuching Park.