Parks and playgrounds are important part of a city. According to World Health Organization, per capita 9 square meters green area is needed. In Dhaka, according to DAP (detailed area plan), only 0.052 square meter green area is available and that is an obstacle to the welfare of city dwellers. It gives opportunity of socialization, entertainment and physical activity. Besides parks and playgrounds provide us environmental facilities, social and personal impact and opportunity of active recreations. Considering these facilities, it is important to ensure parks and playgrounds in all communities and those must be accessible for all, including women, children, senior citizen and persons with disabilities. On 29^th October 2016, 11AM, Work for a Better Bangladesh Trust and HealthBridge jointly organized a discussion meeting and launching program of the book ‘Dhakar park o Khelar Math’ in the VIP Lounge of National Press Club and speakers expressed the above mentioned view in the meeting.

The Keynote speaker, Naima Akter, Assistant Advocacy Officer, Work for a Better Bangladesh Trust, said that, from our research we have found out that, people want to visit the parks and playgrounds instead of so many problems. If the problems are solved than more people will be attracted. We have also found out that, 35% people visit parks and playgrounds for walking and 27% for socialization. 6 parks and playgrounds contain hazardous liters among 12. Though 11 parks and playgrounds have waste bins they are not maintained properly.

Debra Efroymson, Regional Director, HealthBridge-Canada, said that, parks and playgrounds play an important role in socialization. Senior citizens choose these places to spend their free time. But due to lack of accessibility persons with disabilities cannot go to the parks and playgrounds. Lack of safety, playing equipments discourages women and children to go to parks and playgrounds. It is important to develop the parks and playgrounds as soon as possible.

Adil Mohammad Khan, Joint Secretary, Bangladesh Institute of Planners (B.I.P.) said that, not only for Dhaka city, parks and playgrounds are important for all the cities in Bangladesh. As these are not protected properly, they have become place of various crimes. Considering the present need, it is important to ensure parks and playgrounds in every community. Besides it is also important to engage community people for protecting and developing parks. Installing signboards with citizen charter is necessary for ensuring service to the people.

Salma Awal Shafi, Architect and Planner, said that, various crimes taking place in the parks and playgrounds discourage people, specially, women and children, to visit them. Parks and playgrounds should be prioritized in the urban planning. To reduce crimes and violence parks and playgrounds play an important role.

Tariq bin Yousuf, Superintendent Engineer, Dhaka North City Corporation, said that, DNCC has taken various initiatives to develop some of the parks and playgrounds in their constituent area. Initiatives have been taken to develop the park in Uttara sector no 7. Some changes have been made in Shyamoli parl. We

hope that we will be able to develop some parks and playgrounds by March. Both then corporations are active in this regard.

Gaous Pearee, Director, Work for a Better Bangladesh Trust, said that, the parks and playgrounds, that are victim of encroachment, should be reclaimed soon. Accessibility should be ensured for all. It is important to develop parks and playgrounds for the betterment of the future generation.

The discussion meeting was moderated by Maruf Hossain, Program Manager, Work for a Better Bangladesh Trust. Aminur Rasul, Member Secretary, Unnayan Dhara Trust; Aamir Hasan, Chairman, Poribesh Andolon Moncho and many more were present in the meeting.