Phase Two of Gurney Bay will include a hawker centre, multi-level carpark, vantage point, toilets, a water taxi jetty, boardwalk and water garden. — Photos: CHAN BOON KAI and LIM BENG TATT/The Star
SIX months after its grand opening, the Gurney Bay project, known as Malaysia’s largest seafront city park, has received widespread acclaim.
Many people interviewed about the project praised its impressive features and scenic allure.
One of them was 33-year-old burger seller Khairul Idzwan Abdul Syukor.
He said the park was an excellent recreational area, accommodating a variety of activities and ensuring ample space for visitors to enjoy.
H’ng: Phase Two is now 63% done, with the completion date expected in the second half of 2025.
He especially had good things to say about the skate park.
“The skate park is a significant feature. It is fantastic. It provides a vibrant outdoor space for the youth, offering them a great venue for skateboarding and socialising,” he noted.
Overall, he viewed the seafront park as a valuable addition to Penang that enhanced the city’s recreational offerings and providing a dynamic space for the community.
“It is a wonderful gift to us Penangites,” he added.
Businessman Derrick Teh, 40, said the park’s stunning seafront views and natural beauty were a significant asset to the city.
“The scenic pathway runs along the seafront, offering uninterrupted views of the coastline. This area is ideal for leisurely strolls.
“I have travelled extensively around the world, and I can confidently say that Gurney Bay matches the standard of any top-tier park globally,” said Teh, who runs a recycling centre.
However, the Bukit Mertajam resident pointed out areas for improvement, especially the parking facilities.
“While the park looks fantastic, there is a pressing need for more and better parking options for visitors’ convenience,” he said.
Locals and tourists meeting and catching up with relatives and friends during the evening hour at Gurney Bay.
Factory worker Nur Atikah Rahmati, 34, who frequented Gurney Bay to jog, commended the well-placed jogging pathways that provided a great environment for exercise.
“While the park itself is a wonderful addition to Penang, the public facilities fall short of expectations.
“The finishing touches at several areas are below satisfactory, including poorly maintained grass and noticeable defects in the pavement of the walkways.”
She said the Penang Island City Council (MBPP), being the park’s managing authority, needed to address these issues.
“The park has great potential, but proactive measures are needed to enhance the quality of its facilities.
“Improved maintenance and attention to detail would greatly enhance the overall visitor experience,” said Nur Atikah.
For 32-year-old factory worker Nur Amalina Ahmad, Gurney Bay had the makings of being one of the best parks in the state and even in Malaysia.
“Its scenic beauty and diverse facilities are impressive,” she said.
She stressed that regular maintenance was needed to preserve the park’s functionality and appeal.
Visitors enjoying the view at the promenade.
While acknowledging the skate park as a valuable addition, Nur Amalina raised concerns about safety.
“The skate park is a great asset, but it presents risks, especially for younger children.
“There should be clear signage to inform parents that the skate park is intended for skaters and not suitable for the young ones,” she added.
Upcoming Phase Two
Known as Malaysia’s largest seafront city park, the Gurney Bay project valued at RM247.8mil is developed in two phases.
Sprawling 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 next to the sea that provides an uninterrupted view of the Penang coastline.
In addition, there is abundant greenery with 1,500 trees and 10,000 shrubs in the area.
With the success of the first phase, excitement is building for the upcoming second phase of the Gurney Bay project.
Young children trying out their skills at the skateboard park.
Anticipation is high as the community looks forward to seeing how this significant development will transform Gurney Bay into a more dynamic and attractive destination.
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.
An additional 3,041 trees will be planted. In years to come after the trees have matured, the landscape of the area will be transformed.
The construction of a multi- storey carpark with 736 bays is also ongoing.
Penang local government, town and country planning committee chairman Jason H’ng Mooi Lye said Phase Two was now 63% done, with the completion date expected in the second half of 2025.
He said there was a minor setback due to the termination of a sub-contractor responsible for building the steel roof of the hawker centre.
The steel roof work was only 15% completed, significantly behind the expected 87%. This delay had impacted the overall project timeline, said H’ng.
Taking leisurely walks is a favourite pastime along the seafront.
To address this, he said the government would bring in a new contractor to complete the critical component.
On tree planting, he said a nursery firm was conducting thorough soil tests to determine the best approach for planting during the current weather condition.
The selection of trees includes a diverse array of species including the striking Rainbow Shower Tree, the vibrant Geiger Tree, the gelam tikus and coastal penaga laut.
Additionally, the upper and lower promenades will feature Caribbean pine, coconut and pinang palm trees, adding to the park’s lush and varied landscape.
Other planned additions include sea hibiscus, sea apple, rain tree, neem tree and Sumatran pine, each chosen for their suitability to the local environment and their contribution to the park’s overall aesthetic and ecological balance.
H’ng said such efforts were made to enhance the natural beauty of Gurney Bay and create a vibrant, green space for the community to enjoy.
Maintenance, security concerns
H’ng revealed that the project also faced challenges with the tree planting work in Phase One of Gurney Bay.
“We need to test various types of soil to determine their suitability for planting trees at the site.
“Given the current climate conditions, it is crucial to ensure the chosen soil will support the healthy growth of the trees,” he said.
Security concerns have also arisen, with incidents of vandalism, including damage to public facilities at the playground.
H’ng said vandals had used cutters to damage property, prompting the need for increased vigilance.
“We are focusing on enhancing site monitoring and will file police reports for any vandalism incidents at Gurney Bay,” he said.
Additionally, the council is considering installing more closed-circuit television cameras to improve surveillance and deter further vandalism.
H’ng emphasised the importance of public responsibility in maintaining the park.
“It is crucial for the people to appreciate and care for the new facilities. This is a collective responsibility.
“It is vital that individuals take civic duty seriously to ensure the park remains well maintained.
“It is not solely the responsibility of the authorities; it is a shared duty to protect and preserve these facilities for the benefit of all,” he added.
Despite encountering several challenges, ongoing efforts are focused on overcoming these obstacles to ensure Gurney Bay continues its transformation into a premier destination for the community.
H’ng said with proactive measures being implemented, the project was poised to advance and deliver an exceptional experience for all visitors.
