VELLORE: The Otteri Park, which was recently opened to the public, has emerged as the second place after the Vellore Fort for an outing among residents of the city, but safety measures in the park remain an issue.
The park has been constructed in an area of around seven acres, which were handed over to the Tourism Department.
Built at a cost of `1.2 crore, the park attracts 300 visitors during weekends. The park is equipped with benches, ornamental lightings, water facilities, amphi theatre, two fountains and an exclusive children’s play area.
Chandrasekar,a businessman, said, “I bring my 10-year-old son to the park every evening. We had been waiting for this park for more than two years and finally it was inaugurated. But, the safety aspect is worrying us as some equipment have not been properly fixed. A first aid box should be kept in the park.”
However, his son is excited as he gets to play in the park every evening.
The park has a 3-km-long promenade and on weekends, people taking a walk with their children is a common sight. The entry fee is `5 per head.
The Otteri Park was inaugurated by Chief Minister J Jayalalithaa on June 27, this year through video-conferencing.
The fund for the park had been allocated in 2010.
S David, a father of two children, said, “The Corporation has to improve the park by adding lawns and somebasic infrastructure. After the Vellore Fort, people and students frequent this the Otteri park for relaxing.”