Boats and trailers have taken over this
section
of the public park next to Bali Hai pier.
Pratchaya Kerdthong
The increasing use of the Bali Hai Pier area as a
place to park speedboats both on land and in the water has raised
questions over the city’s intended use of the jetty.
While the pier is the city’s main harbor for boat
service, it is also a public park. However, a recent visit to Bali Hai
found the area stinking of wastewater and overrun with boats parked on
trailers. Many of the speedboats are owned by commercial operators who,
it seems, are getting storage parking on city property.
Residents and tourists who once came to Bali Hai
Public Park to enjoy the waterfront view have now disappeared and those
that remain question whether the city plans to put any effort into
maintaining a pleasant environment. At the very least, they argue, boat
operators should not get a free ride on an area built with public money.
