Green parks in the city’s heart

Ramna Park

Ramna Park is one of the largest stretches of green in the heart of Dhaka city. The park abounds in all sorts of trees, shrubs and a variety of plants. There are fruit trees, flowers and even medicinal herbs.

Residents of the surrounding areas like Kakrail, Maghbazar, Shahbagh, Bangla Motors, as well as Motijheel and even people from as far as Gopibagh and Shahjahanpur come to Ramna Park for their daily walks and exercise.

The park is a protected area of around 69 acres. Its lake alone covers almost 9 acres.

The landscape of Ramna Park was designed in 1952. The lake inside the park was excavated deeper and extended in length.

A fountain in the shape of a flower bud stands on the northern side of the park, providing water to the trees and plants there.

The walkways inside park were widened and new gates were built for entry from different sides. The park also features many beautiful spots for people to simply rest and relax.

The Public Works Department (PWD) under the Ministry of Housing and Public Works maintains the park.

Bahadur Shah Park

Bahadur Shah Park, better known as Victoria Park, in recent times has become a popular place for exercise, particularly for the residents of Old Dhaka.

The park was built in 1858 by Nawab Khwaja Abdul Ghani as a memorial of the sepoy mutiny and was named Victoria Park.

It was then renamed after the last Mughal emperor Bahadur Shah II in 1947.

The park also has a remarkable heritage and architecture of great aesthetic and historical worth. Important educational, government and financial institutions were built around the park during the British rule.

With time, the park lost its past glory and turned into a home for the homeless street dwellers.

Shops and other businesses around the periphery of the park also detracted from its grandeur.

Many residents of the areas from the old part of the city like Tanti Bazar, Shakhari Bazar, Lakshmibazar, Sutrapur, Bangla Bazar, and Dholaikhaal come to the park every morning to take a walk or exercise.

These parks are virtually the lungs of the capital city. Amidst the air pollution, noise, hustle and bustle, these parks offer a welcome respite for the people of Dhaka.