The lone children's park in Chapainawabganj town now hardly attracts any visitor as the recreation centre under the supervision of the municipality authorities has turned into a virtual grazing field in absence of proper care and maintenance work for years. Photo: STAR

Chapainawabganj Shishu Park, the lone park meant for children's recreation in the town, has remained in an awful state for years while a section of unscrupulous locals have turned it into a virtual grazing field.
With lost greenery, worn out and damaged rides and other amusement equipment, and broken gates, the park no longer attracts children as it hardly saw any repair for years.
During a recent visit to the park, this correspondent saw some boys playing cricket and a woman grazing cattle inside the park.
"As there is no facility to use to the recreational items, we play cricket here," said Abdul Awal, a class seven student of Green View High School in the town.
Set up in mid 80s on 1.68 acres of lands in front of Chapainawabganj deputy commissioner's office, the park was later handed over to Chapainawabganj municipality for its proper maintenance.
That time riding tools including cradles and ladders, and other playing equipment offered recreational facilities, especially for children. There were also fruit bearing trees including mango and plum. Children could pass time amid great merriment, enjoying the rides and having relishing bites of fruits, locals said.
But the park, hardly having any repair during the last one decade, is now in a shabby condition, said municipal officials and locals.
"My son earlier went to play in the park. But now he avoids it due to its dilapidated condition," said, Faijur Rahman, a resident of Lakherajpara near the park.
A few children were hurt while riding the broken and worn out equipment, said locals.
Urging the authorities concerned to repair the children's park, Roksana Akhtar, headmaster of Green View High School in town, said, "Chapainawabganj Shishu Park is just beside my school but our students do not go there due to its bad condition."
"Plays serve as means by which children learn without being taught. It involves doing, exploring, discovering, failing and succeeding. So a children's park with sufficient playing materials is needed here," Hasib Hossain, executive director of Proyas Manobik Unnayan Sangstha, and a teacher of Shah Neyamatullah College in the town, said.
Dr Abdul Matin, medical officer of Chapainawabganj Civil Surgeon's Office, said, "The social skills that children develop through free and spontaneous plays are carried forward into their adulthood. It is important for their healthy development and allows them to use their creativity while developing their imagination, dexterity, and physical, cognitive, and emotional strength."
Abdul Matin, mayor of Chapainawabganj municipality said they have a plan to repair and modernise the children's park and steps will be taken if fund is available.