CHENNAI: G Munusamy, a security guard and a resident of Zamin Pallavaram, rues the loss of public space in his locality. “There is hardly any space for the elderly to walk or the youngsters to play,” he said, and sets his gaze upon the iron gates of the ‘Cantonment Park’, which he hopes will satisfy the long-pending demand for a public arena in the locality. Instrumental in reviving several parks in Bogota, Colombia, its Mayor Enrique Penalosa once said, “Public space is for living, doing business, kissing, and playing. Its value can’t be measured with economics or mathematics; it must be felt with the soul.”
He reasoned that public spaces must have a positive effect on people, more specifically help them become happy. Located thousands of miles away from Bogota, Pallavaram could have been served well by a civic authority like Penalosa. The locality did not have a park for a long time. Several residents recall the bygone years when there were lots of empty spaces lined with trees. They would just venture out and have a great time on those grounds. But like several other localities in the city, Pallavaram too became a victim of shrinking spaces. Inayathullah, a long-time resident of the area, who claims his family has been based here since Independence, recalls a park near the bus stand about 20-25 years ago. “It had good facilities for children and was a favourite spot to hangout,” he said.
That park is no longer there and in its place stands a marriage hall. A concrete building had yet again subsumed the open space. But the new park, spread over 2.1 acre and built by the St Thomas Mount-Pallavaram Cantonment Board, promises to change the scene. Speaking to City Express, P Peter Durairaj, health superintendent, Cantonment Board, said work on the park began in April last year at an estimated cost of `1.3 crore.
“There are three shuttle courts, a skating rink, an open air theatre and a children’s corner,” he said. “Although the cantonment board has built it, the park will be open for everyone.” The park was inaugurated by Lt General RK Anand, General Officer Commanding, Dakshin Bharat Area on Tuesday. For Inayathullah, who is yet to get a glimpse of the park, the catch is the walking path set up inside. A daily walker, he along with a group prefers to walk at Military Grounds or along the Veteran Lines. “Nowadays, a lot of people are healthconscious and desire larger spaces for exercises. This park will definitely be favourably received if it’s maintained well,” he averred.