The Karachi Metropolitan Corporation (KMC) is a public governing body that oversees the provision of municipal services to Karachi. While a municipal commission had been set up for Karachi in the mid-1800s, the KMC actually got its current name and identity in 1976. Since then, the organisation has been striving to improve the quality of life for Karachiites, with recent measures including a revival of parks in Karachi for family entertainment.
Parks in Karachi—An Avenue for Family Entertainment
While Karachi has several parks in various parts of the town, the largest of these are managed by the KMC. After a recent move made to beautify Karachi in all its glory, here are some of the parks that have seen a revival in the city:
- Bagh Ibn-e-Qasim
- Safari Park
- Karachi Zoo
- Ahmed Ali Park
The Mayor of Karachi who is also in charge of KMC’s operations has said time and again that the organisation is doing its best to renovate parks in Karachi on the authority’s limited budget, but the results for many of the above parks have been amazing. The changes have also been met with positive enthusiasm of the public that is eager to head to these destinations for family outings in Karachi.
Bagh Ibn-e-Qasim
Spread over 130 acres, Bagh Ibn-e-Qasim was built in 2007 and named after the historic conqueror, Muhammad Bin Qasim. The large acreage of the park includes a cluster of historic architecture, including the Jehangir Kothari Parade, Lady Lloyd Pier, Sir Kavasji Katrak Bandstand, and the Shree Ratneshwar Mahadev Temple.
The Jehangir Kothari Parade, the Lady Lloyd Pier, as well as the grounds of Bagh Ibn-e-Qasim, were originally donated to the city of Karachi by Seth Jehangir Hormusji Kothari in the early 1900s. Plaques mark the inauguration of both the promenade and the pier if you choose to walk the length of the pier, which is nearly 1,200 feet. Both structures were constructed using pink Jodhpur sandstone back in the day, with steps helping you descend gradually towards the sea as you walked further down the pier.
The single-storey pavilion of the Jehangir Kothari Parade is a rectangular structure at a right angle from the pier, with a solid roof standing atop five arches, facing a part of the city where once the sea met the land. The entrance of the park near the Bahria Icon Tower also features the Sir Kavasji Hormusji Katrak Bandstand, with an elevated pergola built with the same pink Jodhpur sandstone as the other historic structures around it.
This side of the park also contains a 300-year-old Hindu temple that is located underground and is off-limits to the general public. Inside, the temple contains religious figurines and a freshwater stream, with marbled interior and roomy caves, where worshippers gather on special events.
Due to its fairly large spread, Bagh Ibn-e-Qasim was no longer fit for family outings in Karachi, which is why time and effort was expended to bring it up to the mark. With a new irrigation system in place to water the plants twice a day and the plantation of nearly 300 flowering trees, the park is now welcoming picnickers and families in droves. It was inaugurated in March 2019 after its renovation as part of a drive that focuses on the revival of parks in Karachi.
Safari Park
One of Karachi’s largest parks, Safari Park used to be a hub of family entertainment in the city, where large lakes, exotic animals, hiking tracks, and a chairlift used to provide entertainment for all ages. Falling into disrepair over the years, the park was recently renovated by the KMC. The renovation included the creation of ‘Kashmir Point’, which not only shows Pakistan’s love and support for Kashmir but is also reminiscent of Dal Lake in Kashmir.
The viewing point has been made near Safari Lake, where a waterfall fountain has also been erected at a height of 210-feet to fall into the lake. Boating and family picnics can be enjoyed at this scenic spot in Karachi since its inauguration in November 2019.
Karachi Zoo
One of the most famous zoos in Karachi, Karachi Zoo has been operational since the 1870s, offering family entertainment to Karachiites for years. While the park continued to witness upgrades over the years, a part of it was closed off and accessible only to VIP visitors. This section is called the Mughal Garden, which contains Mughal-styled fountains, walkways, as well as flower exhibits.
Continuing the revival of parks in Karachi, the Mughal Garden in Karachi Zoo was reopened for the public in December 2019 by KMC, with the Mughal promenade being restored to its white and gold splendour.
Ahmed Ali Park
Named after a prominent writer and poet of the 19th century, Karachi’s Ahmed Ali Park (also known as Kidney Hill Park, due to the organ-shaped hill which marks its location) is all set to become the next hub of picnics in Karachi. Located near Bahadurabad, Shaheed-e-Millat Road, as well as Dhoraji Colony, the park has already been inaugurated in December 2019.
However, work inside the premises is ongoing, with nearly 5,000 trees being planted to create an urban forest within the cityscape. Plans for the park also include the creation of a chairlift ride which will connect Ahmed Ali Park to Hill Park, becoming the first chairlift in Karachi since the closure of the chairlift ride in Safari Park.
These are some of the best parks in Karachi which have been renovated to their former beauty within 2019. However, the KMC Sports Complex on Kashmir Road, Karachi’s famous Hill Park, and Jheel Park near Tariq Road have also been revived in past years, adding to the options that Karachiites have for enjoying a picnic in the city.
Stay tuned to Zameen Blog for more entertainment options around town. Email us at blog@zameen.com if you want to clarify your queries and concerns.
