Covered with just patches of grass and weeds before 2004, South Park was redeveloped into what it is today as a part of Project Parivartan. It is managed entirely by the Estate Management Unit (EMU) and requires thorough maintenance, housekeeping, and electrical supply—each handled by a specific department in the EMU. The English Press Club spoke with Mr Radha Raman Arora and a few students to get to know more about South Park and the value it holds for them.

Mr Arora has been in charge of South Park since 2004. He supervises the daily operations essential for its upkeep and executes all significant decisions taken by the EMU. Housing almost 35 species of flora, there is a specific timeline to be followed for sowing and maintaining the plants present at the park. A couple of months back, EMU sowed “winter annuals”, plants that germinate in autumn, live through the winter, and produce seed and die in the following season, and labelled each species with their common and botanical names. Apart from the visual appeal, certain plants also have medicinal and aromatic qualities. The Kewda, for instance, is an essential ingredient in various nasal drops and cures earaches. Some flowers are also vital to Saraswati Temple’s location, just metres away from the park. However, a number of these plants are known to wilt during peak summer and sowing is halted during these months.

The venue of the two professional shows held during APOGEE 2022, which featured When Chai Met Toast and Lost Stories, was changed from the erstwhile SR Grounds to South Park because of the new incubation centre at SR grounds. At its peak, the park was able to accommodate around 2400 people during the shows. 

Mr Arora elaborated on how the location was made suitable to conduct these shows within a span of 25 days. Debris had to be cleared away manually and the EMU took up the responsibility of levelling and watering the grounds. Barricading was also a demanding task that had to be done well before the fest. They were informed about these particulars on March 18, and the work continued till April 7, the Day 0 of the fest. The Director and Estate Manager have yet to decide on how the barren space behind the garden will be utilised and landscaped.

Of late, South Park has also become a go-to hangout spot for scores of students. Frequent visitors have described it as the inch-perfect location to stargaze and enjoy the unobstructed view of the Clock Tower and the Saraswati Temple. After a certain hour during the day, when all other places on campus are closed for students, they prefer meeting at the park because of its pleasant and serene aura. One of the students added that it becomes particularly picturesque during spring as it houses trees with leaves of all shades.