Corporation park in Kodambakkam crying for attention from officials

All through the day one can see number of women inside the park. Never mistake them for walkers or anyone who is here for a stroll. If you observe  closely, you can notice they carry a bucket full of clothes and washing soap. They make themselves comfortable near the water tap and clean clothes. Sarala, a domestic help in a house close-by says, “Why would I waste water at home when you have access to free water at the park.” 

There is a tap on the premises and the knob is broken and the water flows throughout the day. To stop water wastage, one should close the main knob. “Nobody takes that extra effort. They only use the water and care very little about wastage of water,” says Sarala. 

Strategically placed, the park is right on the main road. However, residents opine that the park is not properly maintained. “Any given time, we can find men sleeping on the cement seats. Sometimes unmindful of other park users, they are found sleeping on the ground too. The shrubs  here are not maintained well and  weeds peep through the broken tiles. 

There are swings and other playing equipment but they are rusty and dirty,” says M. Madhu, a resident of Kodambakkam, adding that she is wary of sending her children to the park. “We can spot broken alcohol bottles lying around the premises. I don’t want my children to play there. The park is locked in the night. But I am sure people jump over the compound wall in the night to drink alcohol. Many times, I have noticed men taking alcohol during the day too. The thought of a visit to the park is scary,” she says. 

The terracotta sellers who sell their wares on the pavement outside the park had earlier made a request to the Corporation officials to allow them to sell their products inside the park. 

They wanted to turn it into a hub for terracotta shopping but that hasn’t come through. “The art of terracotta and pottery is on the wane in the city. We get our products from other cities. Since the patronage at the park is not very good, we suggested that we could revive the culture again and the park could be the perfect place for it. Here we not only sell but also teach the art to those who are interested. Till a couple of decades ago, the stretch was a hub for pottery. We can continue the legacy. But no one took our suggestions seriously,” says O Rajendran, a potter.