Public accessibility to adopted parks and play grounds to be assessed

KARACHI: The administration in district central, Karachi is contemplating to assess existent condition and public accessibility to the parks and play-grounds adopted by notables of the area for sake of their maintenance and improvement.

Deputy Commissioner, District Central, Dr. Syed Saif ur Rehman talking to APP Friday said it was government responsibility to provide all essential facilities, including provision for recreation in form of well maintained parks and play grounds to the citizens.

"It was, however, in view of resource constraints a few years ago and above all to create a sense of ownership among the citizens, many of the parks and grounds were placed under care of prominent residents of the area who were well respected and enjoyed public confidence," said the deputy commissioner.

Since there is always a time to assess the status of public property in general, he said that the administration would also ensure to see existing position of property allowed to be adopted and see if these are being used for their original purpose and are accessible to the citizens in general or not.

This is extremely crucial as our children, youth and elderly people do need adequate environment and place to walk, play and undertake required physical activity relevant to maintain their health.

He said our citizens, are increasingly witnessed to be exposed to non-communicable disease mainly because of sedentary life style and it was crucial that we realize our responsibility and ensure provision for open spaces and parks that may be used for the original purpose.

Dr. Syed Saif ur Rehman registered his serious reservations about conversion of many of the adopted parks and playgrounds as dedicated sites for just one or the other sports activity and restricting entrance of children and citizens of other age groups who may not be interested in that very sport.

"This had never been the idea as the administration, be it headed by a civil servant or a public representative always have citizens' interest in mind," he said in reply to a question.

The DC - Central in reply to a question said action would be taken against those reported to have converted play grounds into car parking or for other commercial purpose.