A garden? BMC, beg your pardon

One reason why the Mahalaxmi racecourse lease set to expire at the end of this month, should be renewed is the shoddy state of a large number of BMC-run parks in the city.

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Children walk by an unkempt BMC park in Mulund. Pic/Sameer Markande

While the Shiv Sena led BMC wants the racecourse land returned to them to turn into a public garden, racing authorities are as custodians of the land, maintaining the open space very well.

Broken equipment lies scattered in a park in Dadar. Pics/Abhinav Kocharekar

The Mahalaxmi is used for walking and jogging in the mornings and late evenings. It is accessible to all during those times. The bowl of green within the racecourse is a polo venue during season. The Amateur Riders Club (ARC) has its headquarters here. During the rains, one can see boys playing football at the racecourse.

A fountain in Borivali lies unused with broken tiles in it. Pics/Kiran Bhalerao

A large number of Mumbaikars, training for the annual Mumbai marathon, use the 2-km track for their workouts, prime amongst them is well known Mumbai runner L Leelamma. TAero modelling enthusiasts have used the venue for their pursuits in the past too.

A dog looks for something in the rubble in a BMC park. Pics/Kiran Bhalerao

Broken benches surround a park in Sewri. Pics/Abhinav Kocharekar

An electricity box is falling away from the pole in a park at Borivali. Pics/Kiran Bhalerao

Instead of for leisure, a park is used for drying clothes. Pic/Abhinav Kocharekar

Broken tiles are strewn in a deserted park in Mulund. Pic/Sameer Markande