School children at play at Uncle John's ‘i-drive' (park) are oblivious to the mid afternoon, 12 o'clock heat. There are greater issues at stake such as whether it is a mini-car or a cycle or a scooter that they want to ‘drive'.
The new park which is functional at Vytilla, opposite Gold Souk, is drawing kids like a magnet. While on the bridge, you have a full view of it below. The ‘traffic park' is the brainchild of Joseph Simon, director, Uncle John. We already have a traffic system in a mini form at the children's Park in Ernakulam, though it is not in full form. The idea germinated as a result of being ‘bogged down' by the driving on Kochi roads. “Today's children are tomorrow's drivers, so I thought educating them would create responsible drivers in the future,” he says. . There was a plot of land, and everything fell into place.
The traffic park is the ideal traffic situation. Orderly ‘roads', perfect ‘pavements'…all things we crave for on our roads. Collin Gomez, assistant sales manager, offers a conducted a tour of the park. He also doubles up as teacher. “For the time being I am the traffic teacher here. I tell children about the traffic signals and rules, in short what they need to be aware.” He assures you that it is only till such time that professionals (traffic cops) step in. There are miniature traffic signals, zebra crossings, small cars (battery operated and others), bicycles etc.
‘i-drive' is the outdoors with a range of activities available which will tempt kids to abandon the TV remote, mouse or joystick. There is a trampoline, a mini-amphitheatre and stage, a small pond with a fountain complete with a bridge, there are the swings etc. Those with little children can rest assured because there are restrooms too.
Work is going on, on a skating rink (Collin adds there will be skating lessons by an instructor), a bowling machine and an enclosed space (for budding cricketers) and if that is not all there will even be a toy train. By the way, there will be go-carting too (all in the future).
All you have to do is, buy an ice-cream for Rs 20. That is your entry ticket. Licking it, enter the park! There will be a food court soon and a full fledged ice cream parlour too. These will be accommodated in a giant butterfly or is it a dragon fly? Riding the cars and the bicycles come at a price ranging from Rs. 25 per half hour upwards.
