Nature at its simplistic best

The Rock Park located in Methodist Colony, Begumpet displays a fine balance of natural rock formations and a variety of plants

The rocks are glaring. And, so are the cacti and the 50 varieties of plants around the rocks. A favourite of both children, to play a game of hide and seek, and of adults, the Rock Park has a pride of place in the City as a refreshing niche.

The 650 square yard plot in Methodist Colony, Begumpet is perhaps the most well-maintained community park in the City. But it is relatively unknown except to its residents. That is a good thing though: even after almost nine years, the park still seems as fresh and as new, for had it been very popular, it would’ve lost its character.

The charm of the Rock Park lies in its design. The rocks have been ideally utilised and blended homogenously with the surrounding trees and plants — the most predominant colours are green and grey. There is nothing overpowering and nothing fancy.

Simplicity gives this park a character. The park was brilliantly designed by the then director of urban forestry department, N Chandra Mohan Reddy.

Contrary to what one may think, the park is much more than rocks and plants. There is a walking track around the park. On entering the park, once cannot miss a board which talks about the history of rocks and their importance. And slowly as your eyes move around, you might just catch a glimpse of the orchid trees, and when it is time for them to bloom, they are a spectacular sight.

The park perimeter is lined with pebbles, adding a touch of class. So well maintained the park is, that even outside the park walls, there are plants neatly growing and blooming.

Until 2003, the park was lying in neglect. But after a few colony members got together, including D Gita and YV Ratnam and with the help of the GHMC, the park took shape. It is a matter of pride for them.

“Although I don’t come here every day, I pass by the park and admire it every time. We occasionally even hold our colony association meetings here. It is a nice and cool place to come and sit. Sometimes, children sit by the benches doing their homework in the serene environment. It is a place for nature lovers. We don’t cut trees here, we only trim them,” said Gita, who looks after the park.

“There a lot of birds that have made this park their home. It is such a rarity. I wake up to the chirping of the birds; some of them are migratory birds. I live right opposite to the park, but near my house, it isn’t as cool as it is in the park. I like spending time here a lot,” said Ratnam, a resident who is associated with the maintenance of park.

“I stand by my porch admiring the park every day. I am lucky to live here. I have the view of such a fantastic park,” said Tahir Ali, who lives across the Rock Park.

The residents are especially thankful to the caretaker of the park, Parmesh, who is dedicatedly waters and cleans the park, and makes sure it remains that way. The Rock Park is beautiful, and you will realize this only when you come here.

Name: Rock Park, Methodist Colony, Begumpet

Area: 650 square feet

Variety of plants and trees: About 50

Developed in: July 2003

Tags: begumpet, featured, full-image, Methodist Colony, The Rock Park

Category: City, City News