DOLCY D’CRUZ
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PANJIM: In Panjim’s dwindling open spaces, recreational parks for children seem to be an afterthought. Once designed with ample gardens, the city now offers children only rusted, broken, and unsafe play equipment in parks. Social activist and mother of a 14-year-old, Cecille Rodrigues, laments the disrepair of Caranzalem Children’s Park, once a vibrant hub for families. “In its glory days, this park was filled with laughter from children and visits by parents and senior citizens. Now, it’s unrecognisable—silent, overgrown, and filled with broken equipment,” she says. “The park has been neglected for too long, left in a shabby state despite its popularity. The grass has grown so tall that parents say they can barely distinguish the walking paths. With no barricades, open pits, a dangerously steep drain, and toilets in appalling condition, it’s become a safety hazard. The gazebo’s roof has collapsed, and there are no streetlights, making it unsafe at night.”
This park once drew families from Panjim and Miramar, serving as one of the area’s largest recreational spaces, equipped with night lighting and functional amenities. Today, however, it’s a shadow of its former self. “The park has become a hangout for young people who come to drink, while children have no safe place for activities. The nearest usable park is in Taleigao,” Rodrigues adds.
Goan architect and mother of two, Tallulah D’Silva, asserts the importance of parks for community and safety. “Parks provide a space where parents feel secure with other eyes watching over their children. Kids make friends, parents can relax, and senior citizens find companionship with children. In Panjim, though, parks are often barricaded, close early, or prohibit play. With hostile, unsafe streets, even a simple walk with children is risky. For families, a park is a much-needed alternative to the malls, which are becoming increasingly popular,” D’Silva notes. She recalls, “When my children were younger, Caranzalem park was our go-to. I had friends coming from as far as Aldona just to visit. It’s heartbreaking to see it in this state. Parks should be maintained actively. Any repair should be immediate, or parents lose this essential space.”
Caranzalem music teacher and mother of three, Vinita Fernandes, recalls the park as a cherished space for her children, now aged 11, 8, and 5. “Now, it’s in ruins. I haven’t visited in two years. We don’t have any good parks nearby anymore; the only safe option is in Taleigao, and it’s packed with children because it’s well-kept,” she says.
Swetlana D’Souza, mother of a 13- and 11-year-old, still walks by the Caranzalem park with her dog but remains vigilant. “Anti-social elements have taken over in the evenings; people drink openly, and it feels completely deserted. There’s no maintenance, and I worry even when walking the dog—who knows what might appear from the tall grass. It would be wonderful if it were just maintained. It’s such a pity; it could have been a beautiful children’s park,” she adds.
