Hyderabad: Tolichowki's lung space bags first prize for upkeep at Garden fest

A park in the densely populated and space-starved area of Tolichowki which stands out amongst other colony parks owing to its overall upkeep has recently bagged first prize by the Horticulture Department for this year.

The Surya Nagar Colony Park under Shiakpet Division under Jubilee Hills Assembly constituency received the award from the Director of Horticulture L Venkatram Reddy last week. He handed over the prize and certification. For the 6th Garden Festival-2020, a total of 214 entries were received statewide in which the Surya Nagar colony park bagged first prize in the entire Telangana state in category IV.

The park is well maintained and has green acreages, long walkways for morning walkers, huge trees with cool shade and a child playing area, gym components and even an up-down walkway. "The park was established around 5 years back spread over more than 1500 sq. yard and is under Surya Nagar Colony Welfare Association.

The park was first of kind with an open gym with a total of 18 gym equipment and a child play area. It has varieties of plants right from the stage of seeding including a large variety of ornamental plants and seasonal flowers, park is entirely work under association personal funds of members including Colony President Fazal Siddiqui," explained Mohammed Asif Hussain Sohail, an activist and resident of Surya Nagar colony.

The colony park is free and open starting from 5 am to 9:30 am and in evening from 4:30 pm to 6 pm. The specialty of the park houses herbal plants, which is believed to give a natural therapy and benefit to all ages and is spread with green acreages. "Plants of flowers like Gulmohar, Bougainvillea, Hibiscus, Rose, Jasmine plants & shrubs and also Neem, Rubber tree, Ashoka, Peepal appeal any visitor. Some herbs such as Basil, Ajwain, Curry Leaves, Lemon grass, Mint have also been sowed for their medicinal properties," he added.

According to the visitors, the fresh air and a fragrance of flower trees and a good playing area is enough for having a good time with a family. "Whenever I along with my family visit the park in the evening hours, it makes our day. At least 4 days in a week we make sure it is part of our schedule to visit the park," said Mohammed Nayeem, a resident of Surya Nagar Colony.

There is also an open gym where several youngsters and also elderly men do workout and also walk on the up-down walkway. "During early hours after morning prayers, I along with my neighbor visit the park and engage ourselves in walking and a light workout. We will feel fresh with quality of air, fragrance away from pollution," said Mohammed Yousufuddin, a sexagenarian.

Sohail said that the Surya Nagar Colony association also started the pilot project on a campaign 'know your neighbor, know your colony' in which the different colony residents will be visiting the park, having interaction on community building, leadership. "An initiative that will have volunteers hitting the streets going door-to-door to educate residents about crime prevention, strategies, medical awareness, know their grievances, suggestions, and share tips about how to easily improve neighbors safety and development," explained Asif Sohail.