The poorly-managed Japanese Park at the foothills of the Margallas. PHOTO: FILE
Want to get anything destroyed declare it a public property and it will be done before long. Public parks in the town today are not what they were, say, a couple of years back. If not all, at least one is taken care of --- thanks to the Japanese government who the park was named after.
A poorly-managed park at the foothills of the Margallas has finally caught the attention of the Japanese government, The Express Tribune has learnt.
The Japanese government has offered around Rs83.2 million to the capital’s civic agency for replacement of some 48 broken swings at the park.
The poor condition of playing area and unkempt green patches have managed to keep the residents of the capital away from the park for a long time.
However, now the city managers are optimistic that the park would regain its popularity among children.
“The Japan International Cooperation System (JICS) will procure and transport the swings themselves,” said a senior official of the CDA’s Environment Wing.
The official said the installation of swings would be completed by the end of July 2014.
As its contribution, the authority has been asked to develop swings’ foundation area and soft landscaping of the park, the official added.
It was established in 1985 with support from the Japan government. It stretches over an area of 25 acres with playgrounds over 23 acres whereas remaining two acres have the forest cover.
The CDA spokesperson Asim Khichi said with this assistance the agency will restore the park to its past glory. He said the landscaping, and repair of water sprinkles will be completed soon. Khichi said that the adjacent parking area will also be developed.
Published in The Express Tribune, December 26th, 2013.
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Paid rides...whenever a park or any open space is commercialized to make money...its destruction starts in no time. What is more important earning money OR earning good health to the citizens of the capital and the country in general. Totally misplaced priorities. Safari Park in Karachi has also turned into a no mans land with the crass commercialization of the park lands. Again the question arises...what is the priority; good health to the people or earning money to the park administration. Totally deplorable act.
We loved playing there as kids. Visited last week with my kid and yes, it was in shambles. Seems almost deliberate destruction/neglect to make free rides less attractive and paid rides (placed by private contractors) more attractive. The contractors that provide paid rides pay large amounts to the Park admin and have a little mafia going. Japanese should give money on condition of booting those sharks out.