Parks galore in M'lore

Just a few years ago, ‘park’ in Mangalore meant ‘Kadri Park’ (also known as ‘Deer Park’) or Tagore Park (in Light House Hill). But things have changed drastically and several parks have come up in various parts of the Port City.

Be it Mahatma Gandhi Park at Mannagudda, Children’s Park near Hamilton Circle, Mallikatte Park near Mallikatte Junction S L Mathias Park near Melina Mogeru in Attavar, Bhararth Maidan Park near Jeppu Market or the Derebail park (also known as Radio Gudda park), several parks have come up or developed in recent months and many more are yet to come up.

22 parks

Speaking to City Herald, Mangalore City Corporation Commissioner Dr K N Vijayprakash said that a total of 22 parks will be developed in City, out of which 5 parks have been developed in the I phase under the Chief Minister’s Rs 100 crore grant and five more parks will be developed in the II phase.

The parks developed in Phase I are: Hampankatta children’s park (Rs 7.7 lakh); Rajaji Park near Town Hall (Rs 5.49 lakh); Jeppu Market Park (Rs 4.45 lakh); S L Mathias Park (Rs 7.33 lakh); and Valencia Park (Rs 3.97).

The parks to be developed in Phase II are: A park near Bondel govt quarters; at Nethravathi Nagar; at Abbakka Nagar; Dr Shivram Karanth Nagar; and at Karnad Sadashiv Nagar. A sum of Rs 20 lakh has been earmarked for each park. Tenders have already been invited and work has to be entrusted, said the Commissioner.

In addition, two more parks would be developed at Maruthinagar (Rs 18 lakh) and Krishnapura 7th Block (Rs 19 lakh), both in Surathkal.

Besides, in an effort of its kind, an exclusive park for physically challenged is being developed in Mannagudda.

Poor maintenance

Though the parks are being developed at a rapid pace, there are not many people to maintain them, according to sources. Take for example, the park near Jeppu Market. The 56-year-old park, renovated and re-opened about 7 months ago, has a unique facility which other parks do not have, that is, the Radio.

Everyday between 5 pm and 8.30 pm, people in the park and surrounding area can listen to Radio being played in Sri Ramappa Radio Pavilion located in the park. The Pavilion inaugurated by K S N Adiga, the then chairman of Municipal Council of Mangalore in 1955, has been a source of entertainment for the localites.

An anganwadi is also being run in the premises for the last few months.

Sharing his views with City Herald, Raja, one of the residents said that more than 300 people visit the park on some days in the evenings, but there are only 5 benches. Many sit on the ground while many more return. The little play area has only one roller slide and two swings for which more than two dozen kids wait in a queue. The park also lacks toilet facility.

Another citizen complained that there is a leakage in the fountain in the park. At the same time, the plastic knobs of the fountain and bulbs in the water have been already damaged. Lack of water (and the staff) poses a threat to the lawn in the park.

On the contrary, the Commissioner opines that more than lack of staff, there is lack of professionalism in maintaining the park. “Own Your Park concept introduced by the MCC, would go a long way in maintaining and increasing the beauty of City,” he opined.