Members of the park management committee have split into two rival factions to garner support for their viewpoint. Some residents have gone as far as adding extra flowerbeds to the park in an effort to prevent children from playing there. And sources confirm that MC employees are hand-in-glove with the residents and actively help them in setting up the flowerbeds.

Executive Engineer of the Horticulture Branch, J S Bilga, is on the kids’ side. “Flowerbeds are made as per the specifications of the park and I don’t think there was a need for more flowerbeds. Children need some space to play too,” he said.

President of the area park management committee, R P Jindal, said: “A few members are trying to stop children from playing in the park, by hook or by crook. I have called a meeting this Sunday to resolve the issue.”

A resident, Sukhpal Singh, said: “We have told our children to be extra careful while playing. There are no open spaces in the city and they cannot play on roads.”