Taman Eko

Scenic view

It is probably our best kept secret. This beautiful park is just at our door step yet very few people know about it.

I stumbled across it last year while doing my morning walk. I did not venture further deterred by a pack of ferocious-looking wild dogs. While I was never in danger, the thought of being attacked and possibly being eaten alive sent shivers down my spine. I decided to abandon the adventure for the day.

Now that a resident woke me from slumber, I decided to resume this almost forgotten adventure.

Welcome to Taman Eko Ara Damansara.

Located at the western fringe of our neighbourhood, Taman Eko is a project by Jabatan Pengairan dan Saliran. As one resident has commented, it looks like a big reservoir from Google Earth.

Our country is blessed with plenty of rainfall, in fact, sometimes too much to our liking. Bad habits, poor maintenance, apathy and heavy downpour is a recipe for flash floods.

The water in the drains eventually empty into a river and in this township it is none other than Sungai Kayu Ara. During a heavy downpour, the water level rises quickly and the swift flowing river now acts as a stopper to the water from the drains. When a water jam happens, soon a flash flood is born.

The giant pond at Taman Eko serves as a temporary storage for water from the drains. The size of this pond means millions of litres can be poured into it and it still has the capacity to take in more. Once the rain has stopped and the water level in the river has subsided, water can be released from this pond at a controlled pace.

With millions spent on this project where it is used only a few times in a year, it is sheer waste if it is used only for that purpose. It is common sense then this place should have a dual purpose.

Taman Eko is the perfect place for people of all walks of life. Joggers, courting couples, nature lovers and families with or without kids will love this place. The 2.3km long track around the pond is ideal training ground for budding athletes. Kids won’t be bored as the playground will provide plenty of stimulus. For the nature lovers, the many different varieties of birds from local mynah to migratory storks will keep them busy with their binoculars.

An observation deck allows you to admire the beauty of nature, from the tranquility of the pond to beautiful cloud formations. If you are lucky, you may even spot a mysterious creature swimming in the pond. It’s possibly a monitor lizard but aptly called the Ara Serpent.

Are you all now excited? Hold your horses though. This park is not open to public yet. But this should not deter you from sneaking in if you know the short-cut.

Where is the main entrance? If you know where the low cost flats are, the T-junction will lead you there.