Two Long-Neglected Parks in Cooke Town Reopen After CSR-Funded Upgrades

Energy and Tourism Minister KJ George inaugurated the renovated Children’s Park on High Street in Cooke Town on Saturday, marking the completion of long-awaited upgrade works across two neighbourhood parks.

The project included the renovation of the Children’s Park on High Street as well as the refurbishment of a second park on Milton Street. Both spaces had remained in need of repairs for several years before undergoing development backed by corporate social responsibility (CSR) funding from the Prestige Group.

Speaking at the inauguration, George noted that the High Street park was being renovated for the third time and highlighted that he had requested the Prestige Group to allocate CSR funds for the project. He stressed that regular maintenance of the newly upgraded space would be essential going forward.

According to Albert R, president of the Cooke Town Nivasigala Sangha, George released a sum of Rs 25 lakh for the development of both parks. A borewell was also drilled on site to ensure an adequate water supply for the green spaces.

As part of the overhaul, the Children’s Park was levelled, and damaged, protruding rocks were cleared away. Work crews improved the pedestrian walkways, pruned existing trees, planted ornamental foliage, repainted the park structures, and installed new garden lighting.

Local residents welcomed the upgrades, noting the benefits for children, senior citizens, and regular walkers. A Sampath Mudaliar, a resident and retired Deputy Director of DRDO, stated that the renovated facilities would serve both older residents and neighbourhood children.

Community members actively coordinated with multiple civic agencies, including the Horticulture Department, the Bangalore Water Supply and Sewerage Board (BWSSB), and Bangalore Electricity Supply Company (Bescom), to facilitate the project. Resident Lorraine Fernandez noted that the nearby Seventh Day Adventist Church also supported the initiative by offering its facilities for use by workers during the execution of the work.