Broken equipment, dysfunctional fountains keep residents away from parks at Crawford in Tiruchi

Residents are put off by lack of proper maintenance of the public parks at SBI Nagar and Anbu Nagar in Crawford in the city

Residents are put off by lack of proper maintenance of public parks at SBI Nagar and Anbu Nagar in Crawford in the city. 

The parks are equipped with gym and play equipment and have paved paths for walking and jogging. The public parks at SBI Nagar and Anbu Nagar in Crawford have been languishing for over two years since the underground drainage work began, local residents complain.

The park at Anbu Nagar has been dug up by earthmovers to set up a lifting station in the area. This has inconvenienced many who use the park for exercising and recreation.

The SBI Nagar public park is in a pitiable condition. The LED lights at the park are not functional rendering it unsafe during the evenings. The trees have been left un-pruned thus proving a nuisance for fitness enthusiasts who use the park. The slides and see-saws have rusted and are unsafe for use by children. The fountain at the park is defunct and the uncovered water sump has become a breeding place for mosquitoes. These conditions make it unsafe for the residents to use the park for recreational activities. 

Many residents are forced to go for a walk on the streets as a result, but have to brave the stray dog menace and are vulnerable to road accidents.

“Children used to be exuberant when they came to the park. But due to poor maintenance, many play on the streets. But since the roads have been dug up, many are left without recourse to make use of public parks for fitness and recreation,” said A. Soundararajan, a resident.