But for the well-lit commercial buildings around it, Panagal Park would be plunged in darkness. At this green space, most of the lamps had run their course. Some are broken are therefore, non-functional. And then, some lamp posts are without lamps.
As it lacks CCTV surveillance and does not have a security guard, the park has turned into a space for deviant acts, say residents. As the public facility is uninviting, many of the regulars keep away from it, thereby making it attractive for anti-social elements. Residents have pointed out that usually parks are supposed to be kept open from 4 a.m. to 9 a.m. and from 4 p.m. to 9 p.m. They have to be kept locked the rest of the time.
“As the park does not have a security guard, it remains open round the clock. So, many of those visiting the park in the afternoon hours, especially the staff of the commercial establishments around it, have their lunch here and discard the leftover food, packets, cups and plastic bottles and covers and mess up the premises. At night, tipplers can be seen consuming alcohol and smoking. In the morning, we could find cigarette stubs and liquor bottles," says Panneerselvam, president, Panangal Park Walkers' Associaiton.
Renovation under way
The newly-elected office-bearers of the Panangal Park Walkers' Associaiton have taken up the renovation of the park. The Association has begun the work by first setting out to have the damaged tiles on the walkway replaced.
The facility, which has its main entrance on Nageshwara Road in T. Nagar, has two other entrances — on Prakasam Road and on Thyagaraya Road.
Abandoned vehicles block the entrance at Thyagaraya Road. A portion of the park’s compound wall along Prakasam Road collapsed during the Vardah in December. The wall has not been rebuilt yet.
“Shops along South Usman Road let out their sewage into the park. We often end up having an altercation with those shopkeepers. They however don't seem to mend their ways,” says M. Panneerselvam.
A garbage bin has been placed on the pavement of Nageshwara Road which is alongside the park. The Association’s office-bearers suggest it be removed. Though the park has rainwater harvesting structures, these are not being maintained well.
“The artificial pool at the park does not contain water. Though it is of no use, it takes up a huge space The pool could be done away with and the space should be considered for the creation of a skating rink or an indoor gym as these facilities are missing at the park. An additional badminton court is also required. The yoga stage has to be provided with a roof. Swings are missing in the children's play area. A lot remains to be done at the park. I have been visiting the facility or the last 25 years. It was last renovated in 2010 and in the last five years the park has fallen into a state of neglect,” says M.S. Sripathi, a resident of West Mambalam.
Residents also complain that the park is not being swept regularly. Dried leaves have been piled up at the corners of the park.
“The number of helpers at the park is inadequate to sweep and clean it entirely. More workers need to be recruited. The Association also has plans to compost the dried leaves by creating pits within the park so that the manure could be used for the plants within the park,” adds Panneerselvam.
According to a Corporation official, funds have been allocated for the renovation of the park and it has begun with the re-construction of the compound wall. The other measures will also be taken up at the earliest, says the official.
