Tun Fuad Stephens Park

Commonly referred as ‘Bukit Padang’ by the locals, Tun Fuad Stephens Park has always been a hotspot for locals who are seeking for a place to have their morning/evening jogs. Due to its unique hilly terrain surrounded by lush forests, it remains ever so popular with the locals who get a bit of both — nature and exercise in one place.

On another note, if you are ever planning to conquer the peak of Mount Kinabalu, the park itself is an ideal place for you to start your training. A flight of wooden steps set on a steep slope leading uphill is the best form of exercise you can do to prepare yourself. If the climb to the top of the hill has not taken your breath away, the scenery definitely will.

The main jogging path itself circulates around the man-made lake which is home to an array of Tilapias, Kois and Red-Eared Sliders. When I was younger, I was once told that the locals would release their unwanted fishes and pet turtles into this very lake. This led to a growing obsession/past time for some people to return to the park each week to feed their newly-found pets with leftover bread crusts which explained their obesity.

To say that the park is just for jogging is an understatement as it offers much more. On certain weekdays, one can join the outdoor line dancing classes or the Tai Chi Chuan classes free for the public. Every weekend, a portion of the carpark space is occupied by food stalls, allowing families to have a quick bite after their jogging sessions. To be noted, the park is usually swarmed by families during the weekend which creates a problem — insufficient parking spaces. That said, it can be avoided if you reach the park earlier.

What do you remember fondly of this place?