www.nst.com Before the North-South Highway was built, Rawang was a popular stopover town for those travelling along the old trunk road. On weekends especially, many would stop here on their way to Templer’s Park for a swim or a picnic.
When the highway was completed in the 1990s, Rawang was by-passed and the park saw fewer visitors. Many seemed to have forgotten that the park existed or the lush greenery and flowing stream or that the scenic drive along the old road was dotted with small eateries.
In 1993, the Commonwealth Forest Park opened in the same area and, for a while, it seemed that Rawang was back in business as now there were chalets, camping facilities and choice spots for jungle trekking and other activities.
The park, situated amidst the 260 hectares of the Lagong Forest Reserve, was launched in commemoration of the 14th Commonwealth Forest Meeting. After a while though, it fell into a state of neglect as nothing much happened there.
But all is not lost. The park has been turned into a tourist attraction again, thanks to Future World Avenues Sdn Bhd.
The company is working in collaboration with Tourism Selangor and the State Forestry Department. First, it built quality accommodation and other facilities, including a horse stable that will turn the park into a centre for equestrian activities.
The park is now called the Commonwealth Forest Park and Resort and it is set to bring visitors back to Rawang.
Resort sales and marketing manager Idrus Haji Ismail says visitors will come here to get acquainted with or be close to nature.
Here, though you can hear the call of the wild, it is totally safe to potter about the fringes of the forest reserve on foot or to explore the park on a mountain bike.
You can also go jungle trekking – walk along a trail for three or four kilometres and you will reach one of the nearby hills, passing some small waterfalls and streams.
For endurance and leisure rides, there are 20 horses in the stable. “Horse riding is fast gaining popularity and we get avid riders coming in on weekends. Many of our repeat guests are riders.
“The cool weather and fresh mountain air make riding here thoroughly enjoyable. The riders tell us that some of the peaks in the area remind them of Salem in the United States,” says Idrus.
The diverse terrain offers varied riding styles including cantering and off-train riding.
Two more stables to accommodate an additional 20 horses as well as a dormitory for students and large groups will be built soon. Currently, the park has 24 guest rooms. Food is served at the Bamboo Cafe.
“You will never get bored because there is so much to do including hiking, jogging and horseback riding. There are no mosquitoes here and even after 6pm, it is great to sit in the outdoors and chat with friends and family.” |