Thirty years ago, they campaigned for an empty plot to be converted into a park. Now, they are campaigning for the park to be restored to its old glory.
The Sector Eight park in K.K. Nagar has a walkway, but hardly anyone walks on it. It has play equipment, but they are rusty and parents discourage their children from using them. It has a few trees, but that is greenery substantial enough to make the park inviting.
For three years, the park has been looking lacklustre and forlorn.
“When the area was created, this piece of land was earmarked for a park. But the Corporation never developed it. As the land was lying unused, water would stagnate there during the monsoon. During such times, it would resemble a pond. Residents pooled in money and evened out the land and children started using it as a playground,” says Rajarajan, secretary of Sector 8 Resident’s Welfare Association.
It was subsequently converted into a park. However, lack of maintenance has robed it of its charm.
“Now, residents hardly use the park. Many prefer the other parks nearby to this one,” he says.
Yoga sessions used to be conducted regularly.
“There were 20 people who used to practise yoga every day. Only four of them are continuing. Others have left saying this is not a pleasant place to do yoga,” says Kala.
People like Lata who live near the park avoid going there, and prefer walking on the roads.
“We live right next to the park but don’t like walking there. I go for walks till the Police Training College in Ashok Nagar. Had the park been kept well I wouldn’t have to do this,” she says.
Residents also complain that the park is misused.
“We see liquor bottles lying inside the park. Apart from renovation, security arrangement have to be carried out,” says Rajarajan.
Following repeated complains to authorities, certain promises have been made. They are however yet to be fulfilled. “They said work would begin by September 1, but it did not. When we went again, they said tender has been floated and they are waiting for a bidder. We hope to be able to reuse the park at least by the end of the year,” he adds.
