800 parks, but nowhere to play for city children

Ludhiana’s 800 public parks are a sight for sore eyes in the city, except for one problem – children are not allowed to play in them.

This reporter went from park to park to park across the city and found, everywhere, boards outside that said, “Playing cricket and football and cycling in the park is strictly prohibited.”

A board put up by the Park Maintenance Committee even prohibits “bringing any kind of ball inside the park”.

When MC Commissioner Aaditya Dachalwal was asked about the “announcements” stopping children from playing in the parks, he denied having issued any such orders. Park Maintenance Committees would have put these orders on their own, he added. “Children can play in the parks, if the safety of visitors is ensured,” Dachalwal said.

When asked if children are stopped from playing in the parks where should they go, Ludhiana North MLA Madan Lal Bagga said, “In North constituency a big sports park is being built for children. An enclosed cricket pitch, volleyball net, besides badminton and basketball courts are being built there. Children will be able to play even in the evening as lights will be installed in the sport park. The construction work is almost complete and the facility will be handed over to the residents in two weeks.”

Mayor Inderjit Kaur was nowhere to be found, despite several attempts at trying to reach her.

The lack of proper sports grounds is forcing children to play on streets or roads, exposing them to the threat of accidents. They also face threat from stray dogs and cattle while playing in the open.

Out of 800 parks in the city, more than 80 per cent are managed by the Parks Maintenance Committees.

City officials admit the problem, but argue that the parks are not meant to be used as playgrounds. This explanation, however, casts a doubt on the city’s planning priorities.

A gardener employed at a park in BRS Nagar said children were not allowed to play cricket, football or volleyball in the park as they may damage flowers and plants. “I have been told by the Park Maintenance Committee to not allow children play sports that can harm plants,” he said, adding that cycling, too, can damage grass. “The children can play badminton or other games, which do not cause damage plants or flowers,” he added.

A park in Gurdev Nagar has made special enclosure with nets and grills to guard plants so that children can play any sport without damaging flora.

Harry, a resident of Shaheed Bhagat Singh Nagar, whose children were recently stopped from playing football in a park, said the authorities should integrate playgrounds into existing parks or find unused land for development as sports facilities. The parks should cater to both passive and active recreation, ensuring children have access to safe and stimulating outdoor environment, he added.

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