The only children’s park in Manikganj town has fallen into severe disrepair due to prolonged neglect, depriving thousands of children of a safe space for recreation and turning the facility into a hub for drug users and delinquents.
Located at Shaheed Rafiq Chattar in front of the Deputy Commissioner’s Office, the park once bustled with children but now lies largely unusable, with broken infrastructure and safety concerns discouraging visitors.
According to local sources, the Muktijoddha Shishu Park was established in 2007 on nearly one acre of land under an initiative by the district administration.
It quickly became a popular recreational venue for children, but due to poor maintenance, the park fell into abandonment around 2012.
Following public demand, the park was renovated in 2017 at a cost of about Tk20 lakh, while an additional Tk6 lakh was spent to build a toilet.
After reopening in 2018 as the Muktijoddha Municipal Children’s Park, it operated well for nearly two years before falling into neglect again after the Covid-19 pandemic.
A recent visit found the park’s electric train completely out of order and rusting, while swings, slides and other rides were broken.
Statues of dinosaurs, tigers and bears have faded, losing their visual appeal, and benches are damaged and dirty, with overgrown bushes and scattered waste across the premises.
Parents are increasingly reluctant to bring their children to the park due to the deteriorating environment.
Residents allege that the park has now become a gathering place for drug users and unruly youths.
Parts of the park have also reportedly been occupied by temporary stamp vendors, further limiting access.
“There are hardly any places in Manikganj town where children can go for recreation, and this park in front of the DC office is now filled with bushes and garbage,” said local resident Sohrab Hossain.
“There is no place left to spend quality time with children,” he added.
“My son insisted on going to the park, but when I took him there in the afternoon, I found the gate locked,” said Tanziya Yasmin.
“From outside, it was clear the condition inside was very poor, and I saw some young boys loitering on the benches,” she said.
“Before Covid, the park used to be full of children’s laughter, but now it is in ruins and the presence of drug users has increased,” said local guardian Kamrul Hossain.
“Drug users must be removed before the park can be made functional again,” he added.
“It is no longer a park, it has become a hangout for troublemakers,” said Debendra Government College student Natasha Islam.
“While the district administration provided the land, maintenance is the responsibility of the municipality, which has failed to perform its duty,” said Advocate Dipak Kumar Ghosh.
Manikganj Editors’ Council President Shahidul Islam Sujon said the park has remained neglected for years despite repeated assurances of renovation.
“Children are being deprived of play, while the park is turning into a centre of petty crime among youths,” he said.
He added that the park has become a safe haven for drug users after evening and urged authorities to take urgent steps to renovate the facility and strengthen security.
“We will take all necessary steps to make the park active again as soon as possible,” said Manikganj Deputy Commissioner Nazmul Ara Sultana.
