Parks for children

Dhaka city, once boastful of its many parks or breathing and recreational sites is fast running out of space for them. Apart from a handful of child recreational facility in some selected residential areas, city-dwellers in general are devoid of any open space to use for walking or other leisurely purposes. This is the denial of a standard civic amenity that most of the cities in the world have.
Parks are also important for maintaining environmental balance which is under constant threat of varied forms of surface and air pollutants. To add to the misfortune, we have deafening high decibel noises from which people seek relief for some moments.
While Dhakaites suffer through lack of breathing spaces, one can still hope to see parks at the district and upazila levels. But even these are threatened by intruding habitation and commercial pursuits. Lamentable as this is, what's disquieting is to learn that even existing children parks are becoming abandoned wilderness of sorts.
Chapainawabganj Shishu Park, a lone facility for children of its kind in the district has been in a dire strait. So neglected has this once richly endowed park has been that it has turned out to be a grazing field.
The park which is a mere shadow of its former self and a pasture for local unscrupulous elements is crying for a speedy restoration to its old glory. It must once again grow into a place where social skills, dexterity and physical, cognitive and emotional strengths of the children will develop towards their creative advancement to adulthood.
Mayor of Chapainawabganj municipality should energetically pursue the plan he has to repair and modernise the children park into a thriving rendezvous for children. Clearly, he needs funds which must be provided by the government, and if necessary, by private sector enthusiasts.