Let's Take a Look at New Lapangan Banteng Park!

Lapangan Banteng revitalization has been completed and it becomes more beautiful, comfortable, and neat. This place can be found near Istiqlal Mosque and Jakarta Cathedral in Sawah Besar, Central Jakarta. Many children and teenagers come to this place to play and exercise while enjoying its beautiful scenery. Some of them also come to take selfies together with their friends and parents.

Now, this place looks more attractive and beautiful and its facilities are also much better than before

"Almost every day I jog in this park since it is located near my office. Now, this place looks more attractive and beautiful and its facilities are also much better than before," expressed Putra (25), one of the visitors.

This Saturday, Let's Join World Environment Day Event in Lapangan Banteng

In other place, Beritajakarta.id asked Jakarta Forestry Department's Park Division Head, Fajar Sauri, about history of Lapangan Banteng Park. He explained that in Ali Sadikin (ex-Jakarta Mayor) era, this place was used as bus terminal in 1981. Then, Jakarta government built it as a park.

"There was a bus terminal in Lapangan Banteng and later government changed it into park. At that time, we can see West Irian Liberation Monument in Lapangan Banteng," he said.

At first, Lapangan Banteng Park was formerly an area of forest and swamp. In the middle of 18th century, VOC merchant bought this area. Then later, Herman Willem Daendels named this area Lapangan Singa because there are lion statue in this park as a memory of Napoleon's defeat in Waterloo, Belgium.

When Indonesia has declared its independence, Indonesian first president, Soekarno, changed its name from Lapangan Singa into Lapangan Banteng. It was done to erase dark memory of VOC in Indonesia.

"In 1963, West Irian Liberation Monument was built in the center of Lapangan Banteng Park. It was sketched by Henk Ngantung, while its monument was made by Team Pematung Keluarga Area Yogyakarta," he added.

In the meantime, many people seem to forget about Lapangan Banteng Park until Jakarta Government revitalized it in 2017.

"Revitalization is done in three zones. First zone is the West Irian Liberation Monument zone, second is sport area, and third is park zone," he mentioned.

Jakarta Government builds semicircular building what is used as amphitheater and there is a pond under its building. Second and third zones are used as urban forest that provide sport area and park.

"Including soccer field, Lapangan Banteng Park is as wide as 10 hectares. After revitalization, we give more lighting and tighten its security for 24 hours," he added.

For information, people who want to hold event in Lapangan Banteng Park can register to Jakarta Investment and One-Stop Integrated Service (PMPTSP) Department.

"It is free of charge to book this park, but you need to pay for cleaning fee and make sure for not damaging any facilities in Lapangan Banteng Park," he asserted.