Parents, teachers, and government must do more to ensure proper recreation facilities for the nation’s children. It is a cause for shame and concern that so many parks and play areas for children are badly maintained and routinely encroached upon.
The Golokmoni children’s park in Khulna is just the latest such example. Headlines have highlighted that parts of the park are occupied by illegally-leased shops and offices, including that of the local AL ward, but the bigger problem is that those play areas remaining, are out of order and the park is poorly safeguarded.
In principle the presence of shops would not be bad in itself if it meant other facilities were looked after better. However, in most cases such as this, conditions for ordinary park users are worsened.
Such neglect is common in neighbourhoods across the country.
It is especially harmful to children. If public facilities are kept in an unfit state and parents are not re-assured that play areas are safe, it is no surprise that many children are denied the opportunity to play outdoors.
This can only be harmful for our children’s health. If outdoor play and physical well-being is not encouraged, it can only make them more sedentary and exacerbate problems such as obesity.
All citizens should share in the responsibility of ensuring more safe and welcoming outdoor areas in which children can play. People of all ages need more green public spaces in which to relax. We must all pressure authorities to give higher priority to parks and recreation.