Mangaluru: Beware before taking your children to Kadri Park, the one and only large lung space in the city, and especially those who have not got a tetanus shot recently.

The reason: All the metal fabrications in the children’s play area have rusted posing a threat to those using them.

As if this is not enough, stray dogs roam around the park freely thereby endangering the public using the park. Packs of stray dogs could be seen in every area of the park.

Social activist Gopalakrishna Bhat said he had brought these and other issues to the notice of people’s representatives. While parks elsewhere in the State have got fibre fixtures for children’s play items, Kadri Park still features fixtures made out of iron which are bound to corrode. Those using swings, climbs and slides have to be extra careful so as not to get injured by the rusted parts, Mr. Bhat said.

Highlighting other shortcomings at the park, Mr. Bhat said the revolving gate at the park entry restricts easy entry and exit of people with physical disabilities, the elderly and children.

It could be addressed by keeping the main gate open. The large park does not have even one restroom for the visiting public and there is an immediate need to provide at least one, he noted. Mr. Bhat noted that a defunct open well on the eastern side of the park, which is now filled with garbage, should be used for rainwater harvesting.

The small tank on the northern side, which is filled with silt, should be rejuvenated and the walkway on the tank should be provided with proper safety grills, he demanded.

The activist suggested planting flowering trees along the border of the park while flowering plants could be planted inside the park as there are many open spaces.

At the same time, authorities concerned should regulate vehicle parking outside the park where at present vehicles are parked haphazardly, Mr. Bhat said.

Deputy Director of Horticulture Department H.R. Naik told that he would examine remedial measures for the problems being faced by the visitors.