Tutuyan City Forest

Exploring the Charm of Tutuyan City Forest: The Green Lungs and Recreational Heart of East Bolaang Mongondow

Bolaang Mongondow Timur (Boltim) Regency in North Sulawesi continues to beautify itself by presenting various public spaces that combine natural beauty and modern recreational functions. One of the destinations that has now become a favorite for local residents and domestic tourists alike is Tutuyan City Forest. Strategically located in the regency's administrative center, this recreational spot is not just a collection of lush trees, but a social ecosystem that enlivens the atmosphere in the capital city of Tutuyan.

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Evolution and Development History

Tutuyan City Forest was born from the vision of the East Bolaang Mongondow Regency Government to create a multifunctional Green Open Space (RTH). Initially, this area was an open land prepared in conjunction with Boltim's expansion as an independent regency. Through a continuous revitalization process since 2018, this area has transformed from a mere conservation land into a center for community activities.

Its development was not done haphazardly. The local government arranged pedestrian paths, installed decorative lights, and built aesthetically pleasing gazebos while preserving the region's original vegetation. This evolution reflects an awareness of the importance of balancing urban infrastructure development with environmental preservation in North Sulawesi.

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Recreational Activities and Featured Facilities

Tutuyan City Forest offers a complete package for outdoor activity enthusiasts. The most sought-after main facility is the jogging track that winds through the dense trees. This track is designed so that visitors can exercise while breathing in the fresh air produced by thousands of shade trees.

For those who enjoy leisurely sports, there is a foot reflexology area with natural stone arrangements. Additionally, supporting facilities such as clean public restrooms, a prayer room (mushola), and ample parking are available to ensure visitor comfort. At certain points, classic-style iron park benches are often used for resting while enjoying the sea breeze that sometimes reaches this forest area due to its proximity to the coastline.

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Entertainment Experience and Aesthetic Photo Spots

In the digital era, Tutuyan City Forest has adapted to become a very instagrammable destination. One of its main attractions is the decorative light installation that illuminates the trees as dusk falls. This light phenomenon creates a romantic and magical atmosphere, making it a favorite spot for young people to take selfies.

There is also an open stage or small amphitheater that is often used for local events, such as acoustic music performances or community art exhibitions. The recreational experience here is not only visual but also auditory, with the chirping of endemic Sulawesi birds often heard in the morning, providing a natural relaxation effect for anyone who visits.

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Family-Friendly Destination and Children's Attractions

Tutuyan City Forest is ideal as a family-friendly destination. Within this area, there is a children's playground equipped with swings, slides, and seesaws. The safety of this area is ensured as it is free from motorized vehicles, allowing parents to calmly let their children run on the green grass.

For families wanting to picnic, the open grassy areas under the shade of mahogany and ketapang trees are favorite spots for spreading out mats. On weekends, local culinary vendors are often seen around the outer areas of the forest selling typical Boltim snacks, adding to the excitement of family gatherings without breaking the bank.

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Cultural Significance and Role for the Community

Culturally, Tutuyan City Forest has become a symbol of the hospitality of the East Bolaang Mongondow people. This place functions as the regency's "living room," where people from various ethnic backgrounds and ages meet and interact. This city forest plays an important role in strengthening social bonds among residents.

Local communities, from photography communities, literacy activists, to environmental enthusiast groups, often use this place as a meeting point. The existence of this city forest also strengthens Tutuyan's identity as a city that grows with the concept of a Green City, in line with the local wisdom values of the Boltim people who respect nature as the source of life.

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Unique Recreational Experience: Literacy and Night Culinary Tourism

One unique experience that may not be found in other city forests is the blend of nature and literacy tourism. At certain times, local communities often set up free reading stalls under the trees, allowing visitors to read books amidst the tranquil forest atmosphere.

Furthermore, when night falls, the outer side of Tutuyan City Forest transforms into a vibrant night culinary center. Visitors can enjoy the famously aromatic Boltim coffee while gazing at the city lights. The combination of the forest's tranquility during the day and the lively creative economy at night provides a layered recreational dimension.

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Visitor Information and Best Time to Visit

Tutuyan City Forest is open to the public every day without an entrance fee (free), making it the most affordable recreational option in Boltim. However, to get the best experience, two times are highly recommended:

1. Morning (06.00 - 09.00 WITA): The best time for those who want to exercise or enjoy fresh air therapy. Sunlight filtering through the leaves creates a very beautiful landscape for photography.

2. Late Afternoon to Evening (16.30 - 20.00 WITA): The right time to relax with family or a partner. You can enjoy the transition from the lush forest atmosphere to the beauty of the garden lights as night arrives.

Access to the location is very easy as it is on the main Tutuyan route. Tourists coming from the direction of Manado or Kotamobagu will easily find this green area right in the heart of the administrative center. Visitors are advised to always maintain cleanliness by not littering, in order to preserve the sustainability of this city's lungs for future generations.

Tutuyan City Forest is a real testament that green open spaces, when managed with care, can become centers of citizen happiness. It is a place where nature, culture, and modernity meet in a calming harmony in East Bolaang Mongondow.