New kids' park coming up in Lake City

BHARAT KOIRALA

POKHARA: Owing to its natural beauty, Pokhara has been a preferred destination for both domestic and foreign tourists. But, except for its natural beauty, this Lake City lacks enough physical infrastructure. As such, attempts to prolong tourists’ stay here have failed to bear any fruit so far.

The concrete clusters proliferating everywhere have left almost no empty space anywhere, let alone a well-managed park. Though there are parks like the Basundhara Park, the Komagane Park, another near Hallanchowk and yet another park in Parsyang constructed by the Rotary Club targeting children, none are up to the mark.

Amidst such dreary reality, a couple in Pokhara has braced themselves up to add a colourful feature to the Lake City. Dinesh Prasain, a job holder at the UN, and Pratikshya Chhetri-Prasain, a student of Population with a PhD from Jawarharlal Nehru University, India, have come up with a fun park on a swath of 18-ropani located in Gharipatan, especially targeting the children.

With the construction of the park that began around six months ago, parents now need not worry about where to take their children for fun activities.

Named as Chachahui, the park is the first of its kind in the entire nation, claim the operators. “No particular place here caters to children’s entertainment needs,” they say for their reason of building the park.

Chhetri claims Chachahui as the right place for children in need of entertainment for their physical and mental growth. “We have a train on a180 metre-long track, a flying chair, bungee trampoline, merry-go-round, an aqua park, swimming splash and arcade games,” she says of the various fun things that the park offers.

And that is not all. “There is also provision of a theatre in the park,” says Chhetri adding the construction work of a 3D theatre with a 36 seat-capacity, which is almost complete while they are in talks with the Film Development Board for permission.

And they would soon be running a restaurant within the park premises.

Well, it is not not just the children whose entertainment needs are met at this park. Even parents can have a blast playing video games or in the pool, plus there is provision of tent for

nighttime.

Born in Pokhara, Chhetri spent a part of her childhood in Australia where she found that the facilities given to children by the government and private sector were really appreciative. “It was then I felt I had to do something for children here,” states Chhetri adding, “I was deprived of those facilities as a child in Nepal, but I want the children here to enjoy the

facilities.”

The park can accommodate around 300 guests on a holiday, while 50 visitors can be serviced on other days.

The duo are thinking about conducting special winter and summer camps for students from Kathmandu, Pokhara and other places. Along with this there would be facility of painting, singing and dance training within the park for the children.

The couple also has plans of implementing a similar project in Kathmandu, if it succeeds in Pokhara.

Well, Rs 30 is a decent amount to shell out for a day in the park. And if you want to enjoy the fun facilities, you are expected to buy separate tickets.