Recreation Eid revellers throng public parks

Cool weather adds to holiday fun.

ISLAMABAD:

With Eid festivities coming to an end, the limited number of families who celebrated Eid holidays in Islamabad were seen hitting the parks on Monday.

A large number of people thronged Lake View Park, Pir Sohawa, Daman-e-Koh and other recreational spots to enjoy the pleasant weather and take a break from two days of festivities.

“The weather is perfect and the rides are cheap. Besides, I can’t afford to dine out, which somehow has become an entertainment,” said Muhammad Assad, a government employee who had brought his two daughters to the park.

However, while people were seen enjoying, civic sense seemed to be lacking. With heaps of garbage dumped around the parks, many are quick to point the finger at others. “This is not our bag; there was another family here before.

They wrapped everything in plastic bags and left it here,” said Nadya, who had come for a picnic with her friends.

Others were seen complaining about the shortage of garbage cans in the area.

“We come here at least once in a month and I have noticed the shortage of garbage cans. We always wrap our trash and take it with us,” said Amir, as he pointed towards an overflowing trash can.

While public parks may be good venues for recreation, their depleting conditions leave people disgruntled. Even though the city administration is charging people to enter these parks, it seems to be ignorant towards maintaining them, said another visitor.

“The benches are broken and there is garbage everywhere. The amount collected through entry tickets is enough for maintenance but the administration seems least concerned about it,” said an agitated couple at Rose and Jasmine Garden.

Published in The Express Tribune, October 30^th, 2012.