The rope-climbing equipment at the children’s playground at Phase One of the Gurney Bay project is now out of bounds after some parts were found to be damaged. — Photos: CHAN BOON KAI/The Star
IT HAS been just over three weeks since Phase One of Gurney Bay, which cost RM58mil, was opened to the public but it has already attracted a string of complaints.
What was billed as a place for Penangites to chill and enjoy the seaview in a lush landscaped coastal recreational park, has been blighted by dried-up grass and tree saplings wilting in the current heatwave.
There have also been complaints about the facilities − which some people say are not up to international standards −and the shoddy workmanship, especially at the children’s playground.
The lack of parking bays is causing traffic congestion at Gurney Bay but authorities say they may extend the carpark to an adjacent piece of land as a temporary solution.
Known as Malaysia’s largest seafront city park, the Gurney Bay project valued at RM247.8mil, is undergoing development in two distinct phases.
Sprawled over 11.2ha, the first phase that officially opened on Feb 4 has a viewing deck, playground, skate park, kiosks, toilets and open-air carparks.
There is also a promenade around the park right next to the sea, providing an uninterrupted view of the Penang coastline.
Locals and tourists enjoy their time at Gurney Bay. Phase One has a viewing deck, playground, skate park, kiosks, toilet and open-air carparks, with a promenade offering a good view of the sea.
In addition, there is abundant greenery with 1,500 trees and 10,000 shrubs in the area.
Phase Two, which covers 29.98ha, will include a hawker centre, multi-level carpark, vantage point, toilets, a water taxi jetty, beach and boardwalk, and water garden.
It is 40% completed as of early February, with a mid-2025 completion date. The plan includes planting an additional 3,041 trees and adding 736 parking bays.
With so many trees and plants on site, keeping them alive and healthy, especially during the current heatwave, is critical, and the Penang government is taking steps to ensure this.
It has placed three Onsite Stormwater Detention (OSD) tanks to irrigate the plants and grass at the promenade during the hot spell.
State local government, town and country planning committee chairman Jason H’ng Mooi Lye said that besides the three tanks, which have a total capacity of 460,000 litres, the state government was considering a water sprinkler system as well, if necessary to offset the lack of rainfall at the promenade.
“We will rely on rainwater for irrigation and the Penang Water Supply Corporation for all other needs.
“The contractor is taking the necessary action during the dry spell by replacing the dead plants.
“They will replace the dead shrubs and increase the watering activity at the park.
“We have suggested to them about adding a water sprinkler system,” he said.
The public is urged not to litter the area and use the designated rubbish bins.
H’ng said that because the park was located on reclaimed land, several suggestions had been brought up including adding pure topsoil, organic matter, burned rice husk, peat moss, and charcoal chips to add moisture to the soil and ensure that it has the necessary nutrients for the plants to grow.
“The consultant has suggested a good soil mix to create a hospitable environment that suits the selected plant species,” he said.
H’ng said the state would take into consideration the type of plant species that were suitable for the reclaimed land.
“The selected plants must be able to withstand the heat and contribute to its ecosystem’s resilience and diversity over time,” he said.
Penang tourism and creative economy committee chairman Wong Hon Wai said dying shrubs was not unusual during the drought period.
“Trees and grass need time to grow. This is the hot season,” he said, adding that the government would take note of any feedback and suggestions by the public and improve it over time to provide a better experience for all visitors.
“The view at the promenade is splendid and a great improvement compared to the old Gurney Drive. It provides a different experience for any visitors,” he said, pointing out the positives of the new park.
Dry as dust
Yeap says the red soil’s inability to retain moisture causes it to dry out quickly in the hot weather.The continuous hot weather in Penang has taken a toll on the trees and lawns which have dried up and turned brownish in the promenade.
Some people took to social media to vent their frustrations over the maintenance of the place, and offered suggestions on how to improve matters.
Christie Yeap, a landscape company owner, said the primary reason for the tree saplings dying at the place was the relentless heatwave.
“The scorching temperatures, exacerbated by climate change, have stressed the young trees, grass and shrubs beyond their tolerance levels, leading to their untimely demise.
“Another issue arises from the cracked red soil’s inability to retain moisture, causing it to dry out quickly in hot weather.
“I would like to suggest that the contractor ensures the soil is able to retain more moisture by adding a mixture of topsoil, organic matter or compost, burned rice husk, peat moss, and charcoal chips,” she said in an interview.
Yeap, who runs a landscape company and nursery with her father for the past 15 years in Jalan Lahat, cautioned against watering in the afternoon, as the heat would quickly dry up the moisture.
Instead, she recommended watering in the early morning or late evening, when it is not so hot.
In this excessive hot weather, mature trees are also suffering, so the question of transplanting such trees to Gurney Bay does not arise, she noted.
“Mature trees would struggle to survive if transplanted, as they are already vulnerable and may not withstand the shock of the relocation,” said Yeap.
“Many mature trees in the housing estates, which are under our care, are also currently suffering from the intense heat.
“To mitigate the impact, my workers are closely monitoring these trees to ensure they receive adequate care and do not succumb to the stress caused by the high temperatures,” she added.
‘Keep off the grass’ notices can be seen in several areas of the Gurney Bay coastal recreational park after large patches of vegetation dried up due to the heat and lack of water.
Defects and vandalism
A day after its opening on Feb 4, former chief minister Lim Guan Eng highlighted damage to the concrete structure and the broken rope net in the playground that could endanger children.
The Bagan MP, in a Facebook post, took the contractor to task over the quality of work at the park which was already showing defects.
He said the amount spent should have gone into making a recreational park of international standard, and questioned the appointment of the contractor.
To this, Penang Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow said the project’s contractor would still be responsible for two years under the defect liability period condition.
A check by StarMetro on Feb 24 showed some facilities at the promenade were closed to public for maintenance purposes.
They include part of the equipment at the children’s playground area.
On concerns of vandalism at the park, H’ng said there was one case involving the feeder pillar.
“The people are urged to use the park responsibly. Action will be taken against irresponsible parties.
“Additional guards will be stationed at every corner of the park, and CCTV cameras will be installed,” he said.
H’ng says the contractor is taking necessary action during the dry spell by replacing the dead plants.The opening of the park has led to traffic congestion along Gurney Drive.
To this, H’ng said the state government was aware and was working closely with the police, the Penang Island City Council (MBPP) and relevant authorities to come up with a solution soon.
“We have an option of extending the present carpark on an adjacent piece of land that can accommodate more than 100 vehicles.
“We will monitor the traffic situation first but, if possible, we prefer to wait for the Phase Two carpark to be completed in the middle of next year.
“Also, the MBPP is in the process of privatising the carpark, and a tender will be called soon,” he said.
H’ng also said visitors could bring their pets to Gurney Bay but they were only allowed on the lower promenade.
“The pets must be leashed at all times, and their owners must clean up after them if they happen to do their ‘business’ there.”
Compliments and brickbats
In the morning and late evening, Gurney Bay is full of people taking a stroll and children playing in the playground and skate park.
Retired businessman HW Yong, 65, said he enjoyed walking along the promenade with his wife and three grandchildren, who were back from Kuala Lumpur, but only in the evening as the afternoon heat was too intense.
“I have been here twice already, and each time, I had to park my car a distance away.
Cracks in the pavements at the newly launched park.
“The carpark with 64 parking bays was full, and the road was also jam-packed with vehicles.
“I hope the state can do something about the jam which will prevent tourists from coming to Gurney Bay. It does not have enough parking bays,” he said.
Another visitor Mohd Roshan Mohd Ghani, 45, noticed that certain spots along the promenade were dirty because people left behind empty soft drink bottles and cans, and plastic bags of rubbish.
“The beach tends to be littered with rubbish brought in by the tides. I hope MBPP can do a better job of keeping the place clean,” he said.
Accountant CS Tan, 62, said he and his wife live in Tanjung Tokong and they would walk to Gurney Bay in the evening for their exercise after dinner.
“It is a nice place but there are not enough toilet facilities. There are only two urinals and five cubicles (male and female) to cater to the hundreds of visitors daily.
Some of the damaged playground facilities have been taped off to prevent children from using them.
“The huge open drain located next to the bay sometimes gives off a bad smell. I hope that the state can close up the drain and ensure that dirty water is processed before being released into the sea,” he said.
He also complained about the lack of exits on the lower promenade.
“Once you are on the lower promenade, you are forced to walk the entire length.
“There are no stairs (midway) for one to exit to the upper part.
“I feel that there should be at least two exits for visitors to use,” he opined.
College student Ronan Ooi, 22, said he liked to take evening walks and enjoy the sea breeze there with his girlfriend on weekends.
“It also a good place to meet up with my friends at the skate park,” he added.
Pulau Tikus assemblyman Joshua Woo encouraged visitors to maintain the cleanliness of Gurney Bay by using the designated bins for rubbish disposal.
“If the bins are full, take the rubbish home and dispose it properly. Don’t wait for the council workers to pick up after you.”
