For the last four years, Mujgunni Shishu Park in Khulna city has remained closed in the name of renovation. As a result, children are being deprived of a much needed recreational place.

On February 19 in 2019, Khulna Development Authority (KDA) locked the gates of the park with the promise of "modernisation". Although there are eight parks under Khulna City Corporation (KCC), none of them have recreational facilities for children.

Jatishangha  Park, Hadis Park, Nirala and Sonadanga Residential Area Park, and Solar Park under KCC are occupied by people of all ages all day long. Only KCC's Khalishpur wonderland park is dedicated to children.

In 2007, KDA established Mujgunni Shishu Park on 8.67 acres  of land in Mujgunni residential area. The authorities leased the park to SS World, a private company, on April 18, 2007.

The park was quite the rave among children because of its facilities.

Locals claim that since 2009, the park's environment had been deteriorating. KDA cancelled the park's lease on January 22, 2019 due to various allegations of unethical activities inside the park, illegal construction of structures within the park's boundaries, and renting out areas to third-party  groups.

On February 19 of that year, the park's lessee was evicted, and the establishment was locked up by  the executive magistrate of KDA. The park has been closed ever since.

Visiting the site recently, this correspondent didn't see any workers in action. The pond inside the park was covered with hyacinth. It has turned into a breeding zone for mosquitoes. The park is filled with tall grass and weeds.

The rides that used to exist there have either been sold or shifted to other places.

Sheikh Sazzad Hossain, a resident of ward-9, said, "The park should be opened immediately. There's no recreational spot in the area where locals can walk or gather."

Sheikh Ashraf Uz Zaman, president of Greater Khulna Development Sangram Coordination Committee, echoed him.

Md Faruq Hossain, the park's lone security guard, said it is not possible to take care of the park 24/7. It has now become a den of those who abuse drugs.

Meanwhile, KDA invited tenders on November 22, 2021 to lease out the park. But the process was cancelled due to a lack of qualified institutions.

On September 15 this year, KDA again issued a lease notice.

The last day of the tender invitation was October 12. The tender submission period was extended till October 27.  Until the last date, only two bidders applied, said officials, adding that they decided to lease the park to one of them.

Contacted, Md Bodiuzzaman, director (estate) of KDA, said the park was leased out to SS World in 2007 to preserve its natural beauty and build a place for children to play.

"SS World couldn't maintain such an atmosphere in the park and hasn't paid the rent for a long time. We evicted the illegal structures and locked the park," he said.

"We're planning to renovate the park with modern rides. We... will take initiatives to open the park soon," he said.