RAWALPINDI: The Parks and Horticulture Authority (PHA) Rawalpindi has completed work on 502 Workshop Park at a cost of Rs600 million, and the park is likely to be opened to the public next week.
The authority will start upgradation work on 10 parks in the garrison city and has sought Rs150 million from the Punjab government for revamping parks in densely populated areas so that people can have recreational facilities in their localities.
PHA Director General Ahmed Hassan Ranjha told Dawn that the PHA had launched a beautification drive in the garrison city during the monsoon season and completed work on 502 Workshop Park on Adiala Road.
He said the basic work involved rehabilitating and upgrading the park and adding new features for recreational activities. He added that the work had been completed.
Under the project, he said, 11 BBQ gazebos, a multipurpose recreational arena and gaming zone, washrooms, two basketball courts, a cricket pitch, a mini-golf course and three tennis courts had been constructed in the park.
‘There is a lake measuring 300 square feet in the park and the PHAhas developed it. Sitting arrangements have also been made along the lake,’ he said, adding that a pedestrian bridge had been constructed overthelake.
He said the PHA had prepared a master plan for lawns, jogging and cycling areas. ‘A total of 2,600 running feet (RFT) of strolling path has been made, while 2,000 RFT of cycling track and 1,400 RFT of jogging track have been completed,’ he said.
He said botanical and manicured gardens had also been developed in the park. Apart from this, an amusement park had been added. He said a large number of people visited the park and would now come for picnics as BBQ gazebos had been constructed at different places.
For the revamping of 10 city parks, Mr Ranjha said Edhi Park, Arshi Masjid Park, Qari Khushi Muhammad Park, Gulzar-e-Fatima Park, Bihari Colony Park, Butt Park, Gujjar Park, Children Park Committee Chowk, Usman Ghani Park, Al Furgan Park and Kattarian Market Park would be upgraded soon.
He said the PHA had also completed the revamping work on Shah Najaf Park, Allama Iqbal Park, Ayesha Park, Bangash Colony Park, Muslim Park, Jinnah Nursery Park, Jamia Sirajia Park, Mohra Shareef Park, Milad Park and Dosehra Parkon Asghar Mall Road.
Mr Ranjha said the PHA was also engaged in efforts to make the city greener, cleaner, more beautiful and attractive. As part of these efforts, plantation and horticultural maintenance activities were being carried out extensively across green belts, major roads, intersections, flyovers and other important locations.
He said a variety of lush green plants and seasonal flowers had been planted in planters installed along the Sixth Road Flyover.
Regular watering and maintenance of these plants had further enhanced the beauty and visual appeal of the flyover.
He said the PHA was also undertaking various initiatives to beautify green belts and planters at other important locations across the city.
Field teams had been kept fully mobilised to maintain roadside greenery, trees and plants and ensure a pleasant environment for citizens.
He said trees and plants not only enhanced the aesthetic appeal of the city but also played an important role in reducing environmental pollution, improving air quality and helping regulate urban temperatures. For this reason, plantation and horticultural activities were being promoted as part of efforts to make Rawalpindi greener and more environmentally friendly.