Opened on August 14 1959 by Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru, Children’s Park is a special place in Chennai. It is spread over 22 acres. The Children’s Park is not just for fun. It is also a Nature Education Centre. It teaches people about biodiversity. It encourages them to protect nature. The park offers a peaceful and clean environment for city residents.
Guindy National Park is next to the Children’s Park. Both parks have a rich history. In the 1670s a garden was created from the Guindy forest. William Langhome, a governor, built the Guindy Lodge as his home.
The Children’s Park is home to many animals. There are about 50 animal species in the park. This includes 10 mammal species. There are also 30 bird species and 10 reptile species. Animals live in enclosures. These enclosures look like their natural homes. Visitors can see how they behave in the wild.
You can see jackals and palm civets at Children’s Park. Porcupines, barking deer, sambar deer, blackbucks, and spotted deer also live here. Bird species include grey pelicans and painted storks. You can also see white ibis and grey herons. Spoonbills, night herons, Bengal vultures, pigeons, great horned owls, and barn owls are present. Reptiles include venomous snakes, crocodiles, and tortoises.
The Children’s Park also has a garden. This garden has 25 plant species. It teaches visitors about local herbal plants. There is also a terrarium with six sections. These sections have special environments for the animals.
Chief Minister M.K. Stalin recently opened the renovated Children’s Nature Park. The renovation cost ₹30 crore. The park now features a large aviary for birds. This aviary is almost 30000 sq. ft. and over 30 ft high. Ticket prices are ₹60 for adults and ₹10 for children.
The Children’s Nature Park also has an air-conditioned library. It contains around 1000 books. There is also a Wildlife Awareness Centre. New enclosures house mouse deer, barking deer, blackbuck, and gharials. Visitors can eat at two cafeterias. These are the Zoo Cafe and the Muyal Cafe.
The Guindy Snake Park is near the Children’s Park. It was established in 1972. Romulus Whitaker, a herpetologist, founded it. The Snake Park has many snakes. It also has reptiles like pythons and king cobras.
The Children’s Park is open from 9:00 AM to 6:00 PM. It is closed on Tuesdays. Tickets are inexpensive. It costs little to park your vehicle here. Photography is allowed for a small fee. You can bring snacks and water. The Children’s Park is a great place to learn about nature. It is also a fun place to spend the day.