Unkempt parks: In Chaklala, parks present desolated look

Tall grass, broken swings, garbage nearby making parks in the area unattractive.

RAWALPINDI: Various parks in the posh Chaklala Scheme-III have fallen into bad shape due to lack of proper upkeep and maintenance by the Chaklala Cantonment Board (CCB). 

The three parks in the locality — in street 18, near the business area and near the main Scheme-III market — are all in serious need of a lawnmower, as grass, weeds and unkempt bushes have grown out of control since the monsoon began. Many of the swings for children are also broken.

The local residents said they have grown tired from repeatedly attempting to draw the attention of the concerned authorities to the deteriorating condition of the parks, but the CCB only seems interested in the upkeep of the park situated near the main road, “apparently to save face.”

“The long grass and wild shrubs not only destroy the parks’ appearance, but also present a health risk to residents. We have repeatedly asked the authorities to maintain the facilities but have gotten no response,” said Obaid Ali Khan, a resident of the area.

Puddles of rainwater are still standing in the three parks, while the high shrubs also repel most casual visitors like families and women, Khan added.

The presence of garbage collection points near every park is yet another problem, said Colonel (retd) Attiq Ahmed while talking to The Express Tribune.

“It is one of the most posh areas in Rawalpindi Cantonment, but the ignorance of the concerned authorities has been leading to the decay of public parks that are essential for better living,” the retired army officer said.

“Although the authorities have stopped young boys from playing in the parks, they have failed maintain the facilities. The absence of gardeners, wild grass and standing rainwater could present a health hazard in the monsoon season,” Col Ahmed added.

Kashif Khan, a senior citizen, said, “We pay regular taxes to the civic agency. But they have failed to perform their duties.”

He said some of them wrote letters to the CCB, but are still waiting for a response.

CCB Executive Officer Dr Sajjad Ahmed said the condition of the parks in the posh area is “good”, as the facilities are maintained regularly. However, when his attention was drawn to the three parks, he said he will “personally look into the efforts being made to improve the condition of the parks.”

Published in The Express Tribune, August 27^th, 2012.