A place to find your community.
Singha Merjosari Park was one of the first places I really wanted to visit when I got a job in Malang last year. The main reason was probably because of the skate park area. Early last year, I was still consistently learning skateboarding, just for fun. So, visiting another skate park outside my city was one of the things I was looking forward to. However, I didn’t bring my skateboard when I moved to Malang, so I never got to practice in this skate park at Loop Arena.
This year, I visited this park again, just to strolling around. My eyes were still drawn to the skate park, because I really enjoyed watching people practicing skateboarding. The area was also used by kids for practicing rollerblading. I always feel so proud seeing kids (or even adults) able to have a hobby and consistently practice it, instead of spending their time just scrolling through social media. Having a free public space like this can build community, right? These kids can definitely meet lots of people with similar interests and passions. I think that’s a great thing to experience from a very young age.
Next to the skate park, there’s a basketball court. I’ve been to Loop Arena Malang twice, and I always see lots of boys playing together. The area isn’t that large, but I think it’s enough for a comfortable basketball practice. Whether they’ve already formed a community or just strangers greeting each other on the spot, it just makes me happy haha. I could never really explain why I always find it so enjoyable to see a group of people doing the same thing, enjoying their time outside of the house, and building a sense of community around them.
Singha Merjosari Park isn’t particularly large, but it offers many thing. While Loop Arena seems like a community&sports-driven space, there are also spaces where you can enjoying yourself. What I love about this park is how the trees grow throughout the area. In some angles, the park even resembles a little forest with mysterious atmosphere. You can stroll around by yourself if you don’t like group activities, and breathe in the fresh air.
Or if you tired of walkling, you can just sit in the gazebos. Across and around the park, there are many stalls selling food, drinks, and various snacks. I didn’t manage to capture any of it, but trust me, there are a lot of it so you might want to budget for some street foods haha. Sitting in these gazebos while enjoying breakfast or snacks can be incredibly relaxing, especially while taking in the surrounding scenery.
We can’t talk about parks without a playground, right?😂 of course, Singha Merjosari Park also has several playgrounds in a few corners. It’s just typical playground you’ll find in almost any city park, but still, kids really love to play around. There was a ride that looked more challenging, though I have no idea if the ride pose a risk to children or what, but it was close and look quite neglected.
Finally, if you walk to the end of this park, there’s a beautiful mosque across from the soccer field. Last year when I visited this park, I tried to enter the mosque, but it wasn’t open. Perhaps it wasn't prayer time, so the mosque was still locked. The mosque is beautiful, with its white color and towering domes. I just wanted to point out that this park is close to a place of worship, as the majority of the community is Muslim, making it easy for people to pray even while in this area.
Speaking of the soccer field, here’s another community you can find. Many children practice soccer in this field, with some parents even accompanying and waiting for them. I’m pretty sure it’s a community or maybe even a soccer school, because seemed like there was also a coach teaching them while practice. Once again, Loop Arena Malang is the perfect place for young generation to find a community-based activities, especially sports. Overall, strolling around this park and grabbing some snacks is a great way to spend the day off in the sunday morning.
Have you ever visited a place where you can find many communities around it? Anyway, thanks for reading as always! Have a great day, hivers :)