George Joseph park in Balarengapuram
Madurai: George Joseph Park, once an important green space in Madurai South, has fallen into disrepair due to years of neglect and poor maintenance. M Dasan, a resident living near the park, said its basic amenities had deteriorated significantly due to prolonged neglect. You Can Also Check: Gold Rate in Madurai | Silver Rate in Madurai | Bank Holidays in Madurai | Public Holidays in Madurai | Madurai AQI | Weather in Madurai | Petrol Price in Madurai | Diesel Price in Madurai | CNG Price in Madurai | LPG Price in Madurai Stay updated with the latest Madurai news.
The absence of regular security and upkeep has also turned sections of the park into a spot for illegal anti-social activities after dark, causing safety concerns among nearby families,” he said. A senior corporation official said plans were in place to renovate the major eco parks in the city, following which maintenance would be taken up at other parks as well. With basic facilities damaged or missing, including the front gate, residents say the park has become a spot for illicit activities at night, with broken alcohol bottles and waste strewn around. “Overgrown weeds, damaged footpaths, broken benches and unmaintained lighting fixtures have rendered the space virtually unusable for morning walkers, senior citizens and children. “Urban public parks serve as vital green lungs for Madurai, especially as rapid urbanisation continues to reduce open recreational spaces across the city. Restoring George Joseph Park is not only essential for public health and environmental well-being,” Das added. A Balamurugan, district secretary of TARATDAC, appealed to the Madurai Corporation to allocate dedicated funds for a comprehensive overhaul of the park and convert it into a facility for differently abled people. The demands include repairing the boundary walls, restoring walking tracks, installing modern lighting, modifying children’s play equipment to support the development of differently abled children and establishing a routine maintenance schedule. Download the TOI App.