Netrokona residents demand children’s park as five decades pass without recreational facilities
Photo Collected
NETROKONA — Children in Netrokona municipality are grappling with a severe lack of recreational space, as the district town remains without a single dedicated park or open area for play 55 years after independence. The absence of child-friendly infrastructure has left thousands of students confined to their homes or schools, increasingly turning to smartphones and digital media for entertainment.
Established in 1887, the Netrokona municipality covers 21.2 square kilometers and hosts a population of approximately 125,000 across nine wards. Local educational data indicates that more than 20,000 children are enrolled in primary schools, kindergartens, and madrasas within the municipal area. Despite this significant youth population, local residents and activists report that repeated demands for a public park have gone unaddressed for decades.
Veteran journalist Shyamalendu Pal noted that while other districts have seen development, Netrokona has lagged behind, describing the absence of a park as deeply regrettable. Haydar Jahan Chowdhury, a freedom fighter and convener of the volunteer organization Janodyog, pointed out that while municipal budgets have frequently allocated funds for a park, these projects have never materialized.
Residents currently forced to seek recreation must travel six kilometers to the Purbadhala bypass road or visit local water bodies, as the town lacks any safe, accessible public spaces. Experts emphasize that this environment is detrimental to child development. Sanjay Sarkar, an official with a UNICEF-supported project, described the current situation as restrictive, comparing the children’s daily lives to being trapped in cramped apartments and rigid kindergarten classrooms.
Dr. Nazrul Islam Fakir, a former pediatrician at the Netrokona 250-bed General Hospital, stressed that a healthy environment and outdoor play are critical for the mental development of children. His concerns were echoed by local cultural advocates, including Udichi district president Md. Mostafizur Rahman Khan, who urged authorities to prioritize the mental well-being and physical health of the local youth.
In response to growing public frustration, local officials have pledged to address the deficit. Deputy Commissioner Khandakar Mushfiqur Rahman confirmed that the administration is currently searching for a suitable site to establish a park. Netrokona Municipality Administrator Munmun Jahan Liza added that the project could proceed as soon as an appropriate location is secured.
Member of Parliament for Netrokona-2, Dr. Md. Anwarul Haque, acknowledged the urgency of the situation, stating that he is working to coordinate government efforts to identify land and initiate the construction of a planned recreational facility. He emphasized that the mental and physical development of the town’s children remains a primary concern for the administration.
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