Parks for All

This article was published on May 8, 2011 in CityPlus

Jayanagar needs parks for elderly, disabled

Parks in Bangalore are like fast food for nature lovers. A quick run or a brisk walk in the park is all one needs to recharge their batteries. Of course there are those who come here just to spend time with nature, away from the concrete walls of their homes. When a park is such an integral part of some of our lives can you imagine a day when you can no longer visit one?

‘Who is going to stop me?’ is what you might be thinking but for some a visit to a park is just a narrated experience or a mere illustration in a book and for a select few, a rare luxury.

Jayanagar is a place where one finds numerous such parks that are frequented by people of all walks of life. Unfortunately ‘people of all walks of life’ excludes the orthopedically challenged, wheel-chair bound kids and adults not to mention senior citizens with walkers. The only and nearest park close to Jayanagar that is disable friendly is the Krishna Rao park in Basavanagudi.

Existing parks don’t have ramps and railings to assist the disabled. Many have revolving gates and small entrances. The roads leading up to the park are uneven.

Mahantesh G, Founder of Samarthanam trust, J P Nagar 2nd phase says that having disable-friendly parks will throw light on problems faced by the disabled along with helping children and senior citizens. The parks will be welcomed with open arms by everyone he opines. Children and adults with disabilities can be motivated if more such parks come up. It can make a positive difference to their lives. He agrees that at first they may be hesitant but will slowly build interest. Stressing on the need for such parks, Priya S, Programme Manager, Techvision, that trains the visually and physically challenged to gain employment, says that people with disabilities lack confidence to venture into the existing parks. Being 70 per cent blind herself, she fears of getting knocked down by joggers. The roads leading up to such parks are uneven. A change in the thinking process is needed she says pointing out that even major government buildings don’t have ramps or broader doors for wheel chairs to move around.

Let’s do it for senior citizens on wheel chairs and walkers at least she says, they have a lot of free time and would like to spend it in parks. Also, one can never predict the future, accidents and old age may make a person wheel-chair bound hence there is a need for disable-friendly parks.

On a positive note Mahantesh says, “We have to sensitize the government on the needs of such parks. If we are supportive and make it into a movement I have confidence that the government will take it up”. The government can modify the existing parks and charge a nominal fee for maintenance. “If such an initiative is taken up by the government we are open to work with them” he adds. He hopes that the new mayor to be elected shortly will make it a priority.

Suryanarayana S, a retired 60 year old residing in Jayanagar 9^th block who frequents the mini forest park near his house says, “I have been going for my morning walks for the last 10 years, few years down the line I may be wheel chair bound but I would still like to visit my favourite park. It makes me sad to think I will have to stop coming here just because wheels will replace my legs”.

There must be a positive approach to bring about such parks in Jayanagar not a sympathetic one says Priya and the residents of Jayanagar agree. They hope in future parks will be designed keeping everyone in mind.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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