Built to commemorate His Majesty’s silver jubilee, the aptly named Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah Silver Jubilee Park is perched on the banks of the Brunei River, treating joggers to impressive views especially during sunsets. At night, stunning displays of light bring the park to life, making it a suitable place for families to hang out and relax.
The park’s main feature is a fountain located in its centre that is surrounded by 25 pillars, signifying the 25 years of His Majesty’s reign.
Great for joggers and brisk walkers alike, Damuan Recreational Park is another option for those looking to run off steam while enjoying a scenic riverside view. The narrow, riverside park is lined with pathways and the trees provide shade for joggers. The one-kilometre long stretch of land is home to two separate playgrounds catering to young visitors as well as a skateboard park for youth. Additionally, the park houses a steamboat (hot pot) restaurant, a great place for a post-jog meal or dinner with friends. Scattered throughout the park are six ASEAN-themed sculptures. Each sculpture represents its respective original ASEAN member country: Brunei Darussalam, Malaysia, Indonesia, Singapore, Thailand and the Philippines.
Like the Jubilee Park, the Anduki Recreational Park was transformed from a series of abandoned natural sandpits into the current 63-hectare landscaped recreational area. The park’s centrepiece is the man-made large lake in the middle of the park which joins Anduki River, leading to the sea.
The park is popular for family gathering and remote controlled boatracing. In addition to six shelters with designated barbecue pits, a playground and a camp site, the park also has a 3.2-kilometre jogging track suitable for cyclists and leisure walkers.
Situated in the capital, Taman Haji Sir Muda Omar ‘Ali Saifuddien is better known as the venue for state occasions such as His Majesty’s birthday and the nation’s National Day celebrations, usually the only occasions the park is open to the public.
The weekly event, Bandarku Ceria, initiated by several government bodies and spearheaded by the Municipal Department, aims to promote a healthier lifestyle for residents, with cycling and aerobics some of the activities being held each week. Several roads in the capital, including Jalan Omar ‘Ali Saifuddien, Jalan Stoney, Jalan Masjid Omar ‘Ali Saifuddien, and Jalan McArthur are closed for four hours from 6am to 10am, turning the area into a designated car-free zone.
These car-free zones also house stalls selling food, beverages, souvenirs and handicrafts. Apart from promoting health, government bodies hope to encourage residents to walk or opt for public transport as a stepping stone to reduce Brunei’s carbon footprint. The community event saw a lot of success, garnering not just local but also foreign visitors, as well as inspiring other ASEAN ministries to emulate the event by hosting an ASEAN-wide car-free day in the future.
The Jerudong Park Playground is the largest amusement park in Brunei, featuring thrilling rides and attractions that caters for all ages, ranging from a heart-stopping 50-metre plunge to classic rides such as a merry-go-round, Pirate ship and bumper cars. For a more extreme thrill, visitors can visit the Adventure Kingdom where they will find Brunei’s longest zipline, roller glider and giant swing. A favourite among locals and visitors, the WaterPark features a multi-level water play structure with water slides and tunnels for the little ones and the young at heart. The gigantic waterpark playground features a water jet curtain, giant tipping bucket and mushroom umbrella water sprays, perfect for those who seek a haven from the heat.
Initially dubbed the Sungai Kedayan Eco-Corridor, the officially named Taman Mahkota Jubli Emas was unveiled in conjunction with His Majesty’s Golden Jubilee in 2017. The park was initially a plan to dredge the Sungai Kedayan river bed, with a wall to be built to lessen flood impacts but the plan was later revised and developed to become the park. The 12-hectare waterfront park is located along the mouth of Sungai Kedayan and is the backdrop to the Omar ‘Ali Saifuddien Mosque, a six-metre-wide promenade and cycling lane, playground, pedestrian bridge which reaches Batu Satu and multiple access points both by land and water. Visitors can also rent a bicycle for a leisurely, tranquil ride with their family.
Located about five kilometres away from the iconic Billionth Barrel Monument, the Seria Energy Recreational Park is a special gift to the community of Seria from Brunei Shell Petroleum Company Sdn Bhd (BSP) to commemorate its 90th anniversary in 2019. Boasting features such as slides, monkey bars, a kinetic see-saw, fireman pole, swings and jungle gyms, the playground is popular among children. One of the park’s attractions is the Offshore Rig Playground which resembles an oil platform, providing a glimpse into the basic structure of an oil platform.
Just nearby is the Seria Energy Lab, a flagship programme by Brunei Shell Petroleum to promote science, technology and innovation, while simultaneously being a hub of knowledge in the most prominent resource of Brunei – the oil and gas industry. One of the highlights at the exhibition hall is the centre’s 77-tonne aquarium filled with live corals and the flourishing ecosystem commonly found beneath an oil rig.
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