A park, not for the people

It was constructed in 2010-11 by Vadavalli Town Panchayat

The Coimbatore Corporation park in the Central Excise Colony, Vadavalli, that has been under lock and key for the last three years. Photo: S.Siva Saravanan

The climbers on the fence and a few play equipment say it all – that the Coimbatore Corporation park in Central Excise Colony, Vadavalli, has been in disuse.

The walkers’ path at the children’s park is full of dried leaves.

The fountain has no water, the lamp posts no lights and the park no children. It has been under lock and key for over three years, says resident M. Aruna.

The signboard at the park’s entrance says that the erstwhile Vadavalli Town Panchayat constructed the park in 2010-11 under the Anaithu Peruratchi Anna Marumalarchi Thittam.

After the Town Panchayat became a part of the Corporation, the latter has ensured that it has erased the Peruratchi on the sign board.

The Corporation has ensured that the park remains under lock and key,

Ms. Aruna says and adds that as a result of the park remaining out of bounds for the children of the locality, the young ones are forced to play on streets.

A week ago, a girl was injured when a speeding vehicle hit her while she was playing, she adds.

In response to a Right To Information query, the Corporation has said that the Town Panchayat has carried out masonry work, installed grill gate, play equipment like merry-go-round, seesaw, slider, jungle jim, swings, pews, a water tank, and much more.

Ms. Aruna says that the park has lamp posts but no electricity connection.

As a result of this the water tank is in disuse and the plants and grass have wilted.

Uma Maheswari, another resident, says that for the residents the lack of access is only a part of the problem.

The bigger problem is snakes from the park entering houses.

Almost everyday snakes, big and small, enter her house, which abuts the children’s park.

Her worry is that with the children’s bedroom is the first entry point for the snakes.

The residents want the park to be cleaned and are ready to do take up the task but are unable to as the Corporation has the keys.

Ward 16 Councillor Kumutham Kuppusamy says that she has taken up the issue with the officials who have promised to ready the park in a month.