Srinagar, March 23, KNT: Several public parks in Srinagar, including a children’s park near LD Hospital, Joggers Park in Rajbagh and Dahlia Park opposite Municipal Park, are in a state of disrepair, raising safety concerns among locals.
The parks, which attract a large number of children and families, currently lack basic facilities, with broken swings, damaged play equipment and garbage scattered across the premises, they said.
The issue assumes significance as these parks serve as key recreational spaces in densely populated areas, and their deteriorating condition poses risks to children using unsafe and unusable structures.
Visitors alleged that most of the swings and play installations are either broken or missing, making the parks unfit for use.
“There is nothing left for children. The swings are broken, equipment is missing and garbage is lying everywhere. It looks like these parks have been abandoned,” said a local after visiting Children’s Park along with his family.
Joggers Park, meant for morning walkers and fitness enthusiasts, is also reportedly in poor condition, with uneven pathways and lack of maintenance discouraging visitors.
At Dahlia Park, locals said overgrown grass, litter and damaged infrastructure have turned the space into an unusable area.
Visitors have blamed the Floriculture Department for failing to maintain the parks, alleging that repeated complaints and highlighting of the issue have not resulted in any improvement.
“We have raised the issue multiple times, but no action has been taken. Children come here in large numbers, but the conditions are unsafe,” a local from Raj Bagh told the news agency Kashmir News Trust.
The apparent neglect has also raised broader concerns about urban upkeep and the maintenance of public recreational infrastructure in the city.
People have urged authorities to carry out urgent repairs, remove garbage and restore basic facilities to ensure that the parks are safe and usable for the public. [KNT]
