Thiruvananthapuram: Accamma Cherian Park is getting a makeover and an FM Radio facility. Renovation of the park has already started with private partnership. Town Planning Standing Committee Chairperson R. Satheeshkumar assur-es that it will be open for public. “The FM facility was suggested by the sponsors themselves. It will be open to the public. The maintenance contract will be for a year’s time,” he says.
The park was lying neglected for a long time, until Christ Nagar Group of Schools came forward and took up its maintenance. Their website says, “This will undoubtedly be a lesson in social responsibility leading to the protection of public property and development of civic sense.” Earlier too Corporation has showed willingness to allow private parties to ensure the maintenance of its parks. This year, Bhagat Singh Park at Poojappura, K Balakrishnan Memorial Children’s Park and Kumaranasan Park in front of Senate Hall are being maintained by private sponsors.
However Satheesh-kumar says that Corporation is not at all willing to give all its parks to private parties for maintenance. “Many a time, it is difficult to find private sponsors and it is easier when they take up the maintenance. However some of the parks bring revenue because of their location, as events can be conducted in that space. During the tenure of the last council, the Corproation had decided that it would take care of the Kowdiar park. This year we are spending '18 lakhs on the park,” he said. Chithira Thirunal Park, Gandhi Park and Nayanar Park are some of the important parks which are maintained by the Corporation. There are around 50 parks within Corporation lmits.
