A view of Fragrance Park
FOCUS ON EXISTING PARKS The 376-acre Janeshwar Mishra Park is also undergoing improvements, including replacement of damaged play and sports equipment and other maintenance works. It is also working on civic infrastructure in the 88 villages incorporated into municipal limits. The corporation has identified 56 govt properties for redevelopment into schools, community halls, municipal offices and other public facilities.
Biodiversity and urban forest projects have become a part of the authority’s planning agenda, according to LDA vice-chairman Prathmesh Kumar. MAINTENANCE A CHALLENGE Town planner Anoop Srivastava said the long-term success of such projects would depend on maintenance. Urban forests and restored ponds also need continuous monitoring and protection from encroachment,” he said.
As Lucknow pushes its boundaries outward, its development map is acquiring more shades of green. Alongside roads, housing projects and commercial hubs, parks, urban forests, rejuvenated ponds and neighbourhood green spaces are increasingly finding a place in the city’s expansion plans. Projects undertaken by the Lucknow Development Authority (LDA) and Lucknow Municipal Corporation (LMC) indicate a shift in focus as development spreads towards Ahimamau, Vasant Kunj, Shaheed Path and newly added villages. LMC is focusing on neighbourhood parks, Miyawaki plantations, pond rejuvenation and civic facilities While LDA is developing destination parks and specialised recreational spaces. NEW PARKS ADD TO PUBLIC SPACE NETWORK Among the recent additions is Fragrance Park, developed opposite the Clock Tower in old Lucknow. The park features aromatic and indigenous plant species and has been designed around the city’s association with traditional perfumes. LDA has also completed Harmony Park near IT City, Ahimamau. The park contains interactive installations made from recycled industrial and automobile waste. In another project, Gautam Buddha Park has been redeveloped as Happiness Park, featuring recycled installations and traditional games such as ‘gilli-danda’, ‘pitthu’ and ‘kancha’. The projects reflect a move towards parks built around specific themes and activities rather than conventional landscape gardens. Officials say attention is increasingly being given to upkeep and improvement of existing public spaces alongside development of new ones. BIODIVERSITY PROJECTS IN PIPELINE LDA’s ongoing projects include Ayurveda Park in Vasant Kunj, Soumitra Van, Skate Park and another park along the Haider Canal. The projects represent different uses of public space. Ayurveda Park is focused on medicinal plants and wellness, Soumitra Van on forest landscapes, while Skate Park is aimed at recreation for younger residents. FOCUS ON INFRA, GREEN SPACES For LMC, the focus remains on local infrastructure and green spaces. The civic body has approved solar lighting in parks, beautification of Dhobighat pond n Alamnagar, desilting of Kukrail and Miyawaki plantations in Natkur. Municipal commissioner Gaurav Kumar linked these projects with improving roads, drainage and public amenities in newly urbanised areas. SMALLER GREEN SPACES GAIN ATTENTION Urban planners say smaller green spaces and Miyawaki forests can complement larger parks, particularly in areas where land for large public parks is limited. The plantation project at Natkur is part of efforts to increase green cover across neighbourhoods rather than concentrating it in a few locations. “The challenge is not developing a park but maintaining it. Trees need care, lighting systems require upkeep, pathways need repairs and public facilities must remain functional.
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Janeshwar Mishra Park, Harmony Park, Happiness Park and Fragrance Park will ultimately be judged by their upkeep and usability, according to urban planners. The challenge, according to planners, will be to ensure that these assets remain accessible as the city expands. BEYOND CONSTRUCTION The projects suggest public spaces are becoming a larger part of the city’s development strategy. Alongside housing and roads, civic agencies are investing in parks, biodiversity projects, ponds and community infrastructure. Download the TOI App.