A dose of tranquility

But if you are not the type to contemplate on nature’s quiet beauty, then visit this place on a Sunday, when the excited chatter of little kids echoes through the lush greenery. Besides this, there is also a live band that performs here every Sunday evening. Even children from the Poona School and Home for the Blind perform here, singing popular Hindi songs.

The garden has ample provisions for the entertainment of kids. Slides, swings, jungle gyms alongwith the rides that the hawkers offer. The parking lot, which had been streamlined sometime back, now has ample space that is utilised for horse-rides, merry-go-rounds, ferris wheel rides and similar.

If you’re surprised at the paucity of blooming flowers in this garden, then blame it on the trees. Says Y.S. Khaire, the garden superintendent who is in-charge of its upkeep, “There are many old trees that have grown so huge that it is practically impossible to plant anything in their shade. Besides, it would be such a shame to chop down these beautiful old specimens of cassia to plant flowers.”

So they have kept the trees as they are but have made a lawn right outside the garden which has an open space. Says Khaire, “We realise that people would like to relax on a lawn when they visit a garden, so we put one outside as there is plenty of sunlight there.”

A few years ago, the land opposite the garden was lying waste. But thanks to the efforts of the Rotary Club Pune Central, this wilderness was converted into a beautiful jogging track. A mud track with plants on either side is an ideal setting for an invigorating jog around the track. Surrounded by the track is the Weikfield Court, that serves as a meeting place for members of the Laughter Club who meet every morning at 7 a.m.

Entry to the garden is free but one has to pay Re. 1 to use the jogger’s park. Till sometime back, the garden had no fixed timings but to prevent unwanted elements from using it, Khaire has enforced restricted use. Visitors can now frequent the garden from 6 to 10 a.m. and 4 to 8.30 p.m. So the next time you want a break from city life, head for this unassuming little place.