Residents of Dhaka finally have the opportunity to get some respite from the endless concrete of the city after the opening of seven modern parks in the capital yesterday.
The parks include open spaces for sports and children’s games, as well as sitting areas and galleries for spectators and visitors.
Dhaka North City Corporation (DNCC) Mayor Md Atiqul Islam inaugurated the seven parks and playgrounds as the chief guest at a ceremony in Shyamoli Park. Children and adults at the inauguration were impressed with park’s design and decorations
“We are very happy to finally get a green ground for walking and playing,” said Ariful Islam, a ninth grader.
With a total area of 306.4 sqkm, Dhaka city is home to approximately 20 million people. Nearly half the population is children under 18, but there are only 148 playgrounds and 27 for these children across both Dhaka city corporations.
"Seven parks and fields have been opened in Dhaka North City Corporation area as new year's gifts for the city dwellers. These are your parks. You have to look after these parks and fields. It is my request to treat the fields as you would your own child," DNCC Mayor Atiqul Islam said during the inauguration.
The parks were developed under the Modernization, Development and Greening of Open Space of Dhaka North City Corporation project.
"These parks and playgrounds have been designed keeping in mind the needs of all, including children, teenagers, youth, old people of all ages and people with special needs. There are separate playing spaces for children and adults, sitting arrangements and a gallery to enjoy different games. We talked to the locals and designed the park and grounds based on their needs," the DNCC mayor said.
He added that the parks had been designed in such a manner that there should be no waterlogging, and fields were designed to allow for multiple different sports.
In a stern warning to developers who illegally grabbed land, the mayor said: “Give back to the people of the city the playgrounds, parks, and cemeteries that you showed when your designs were approved. If you do not give them to the people, you are deceiving them. If these are all not given back to city residents, action will be taken.”
He further said: “We have to save playgrounds, parks, canals for future generations. It is our responsibility to them. If we don't provide them, future generations will ask what it is we gave them. The boundaries of a 60 feet canal cannot be narrowed 6 feet by illegally occupying the sides."
He also directed DNCC officials to form a management committee for the maintenance of the park and playgrounds within the next seven days.
The seven parks and playgrounds are: Shyamoli Park, Iqbal Road Park, Humayun Road Park, Banani Block-C Park, Baridhara Park, Banani Block-F Park, Rayer Bazar Baishakhi Playground.
After the inauguration, the mayor and other guests planted trees and toured the Shyamoli Park.
Member of Parliament for Dhaka 13 constituency Md Sadeq Khan was present as the special guest at the inauguration.
Thanking the DNCC mayor for successfully completing the development work of seven parks and fields, he said: "These parks and fields are very important for our children. We are really happy to have parks and fields with modern facilities. We are always by the side of DNCC in maintaining them." "
Ward 32 Councilor Syed Hasan Noor Islam presided over the function. The inauguration was attended by DNCC CEO Md Selim Reza , Chief Engineer Brig Gen Md Amirul Islam, Architect Iqbal Habib, representatives of the project consulting firm, councillors of DNCC and other senior officials.
