Residents of a colony have shown how concerted efforts can nurture a little park into a lush patch of green for everyone's use in the heat and grime of Patna.

This comes at a time when many city parks maintained by government agencies cut a sorry figure.

The small park located in phase I of Ashiana Nagar colony spreads across 11,000sqft and has all the facilities one generally finds in big parks - a walking-cum-jogging track, space for exercising and a well-maintained lawn that serves as a playground for children.

'When this colony was developed in 1988, the developers had reserved the space for a park. But the plot remained vacant for several years. Only around 12 years ago, I urged RJD leader Kumar Rajiv Ranjan, who was an MLC at that time, to provide money from his development fund. He obliged and this park was developed,' said Ashiana resident and retired engineer-in-chief B.N. Prasad.

Prasad, whose residence is located adjacent to the park, had played a major role in getting this facility developed and he still plays an active role in its proper maintenance.

The park remains open from 4.30am to 10am and between 4pm and 9pm for visitors. The colony has engaged a gardener to maintain the flowerbeds and the lawn.

Residents have resolved not to bring polythene bags inside the park and also not to litter the premises.

'Generally, the visitors follow the rules but in case someone throws some items in the park, we clean it and dump the garbage at fixed points within the colony,' said Prasad.

Funds for maintaining this park, i.e. Rs 50,000, which was set up at a cost of Rs 8.25 lakh, is used from the monthly maintenance fee paid by the colony residents.

Terming this facility an example in community participation, Ashiana Nagar management committee secretary Mukesh Kumar said: 'Residents of other colonies too should join hands to develop such facilities. Open spaces not only allow residents to spend some quality time but those allow children to play in green surroundings.

The secretary, however, is worried about the increasing footfall at this park. Around 300 people visit it in the morning and almost an equal number in the evening.

'People from nearby localities too come here, leading to crowding. But we allow them to come as the park is for everybody's use. Had there been more parks in the vicinity, the rush would not have been this much,' Kumar said.

His claim appeared logical as some residents of nearby localities confirmed using this park.

'I go to the Ashiana Nagar Phase I park with my friends daily in the morning for workout and walk. We prefer this park because of the absence of any such facility in our locality,' said Rajesh Kumar, a resident of Magistrate Colony.

Durga Das, who lives in an apartment outside the colony and visits the park daily, said the government should provide some help for better maintenance of the park that caters to the need of several localities located in the vicinity of Ashiana Nagar.