Miri set to have eco-park at Taman Awam

MIRI (Jan 7): The authorities are drawing up plans for an eco-park at Taman Awam here, set to feature the ‘Green Wall of Miri’ that will built using 50,000 ecobricks, which made it into the Guinness Book of World Records last year.

Touted to be the first of its kind in Sarawak, the project resonates with with Green Miri Concept, according to Minister of Transport Dato Sri Lee Kim Shin.

“We completed Phase I of the Rock Cliff Park project opposite Taman Awan in December last year.

“This was funded under the ‘People’s Project’, approved by the Premier following my earlier request.

“As a continuation, I am proposing the development of an eco-park, which incorporates the Green Wall of Miri, under Phase II.

“We are going over the concept and details of the project, including a proposed parking bay for tourist buses to allow tourists interested in nature walk to disembark at this park.

“On the geological outcrop here, I propose for it to be properly landscaped through CSR (corporate social responsibility) efforts, introducing Miri’s history as the birthplace of oil and gas industry in the country.

“This would be interesting for the engineers and also students of geology as this is a natural lab for understanding rock formation here,” he told reporters when met after conducting an inspection on the Rock Cliff Park project site on Tuesday.

The Senadin assemblyman was accompanied by the officials of Miri City Council (MCC)’s committees in charge of infrastructure development and tourism.

It is informed that tectonic movements had pushed upwards the shallow sea bed to become Miri anticline 15 million years ago, as manifested in the rock outcrop at the park here, regarded as Miri’s geological heritage site.

According to Lee, landscape consultant would be engaged to further beautify the place with proper lighting.

“I expect the MCC to come up with the design of the Green Wall and also the estimated cost within this year, which I will request for funding from the Premier,” said the minister.

Meanwhile, Lee said the MCC would undertake improvement works on the internal drainage, which was not included in the original project design and landscaping.

“There will be minimum metal or plastic components (in the project),” he said.

“I have also instructed the council to make it more user-friendly for those with disabilities, including putting in place ramps at strategic spots for easier mobility,”he added.