(MENAFN - Muscat Daily) The Kalbouh Park located near Muttrah Corniche has always been a popular rest and recreation spot among residents and citizens
In 2007, Cyclone Gonu brought down the park's wall facing the sea. Since then, a temporary wall made of plywood boards is the only barrier which separates the park from the sea. Even this temporary wall is now giving way due to lack of maintenance.
Visitors say that they have to be always on guard when their children play in the park. Bader al Hosni, a regular visitor to the park, said, ''I live near Muttrah Souq and this is the nearest park to my house apart from Riyam Park. My ten year old son loves coming to this park as he has made some friends here on earlier visits.
''He loves playing football but I have to be on guard so that he doesn't go anywhere near the temporary wall.
''I get jitters when he hits the ball towards the wall and then rushes to fetch it. There are openings in the planks and nails lying around. The park is well maintained but this temporary wall is an eyesore as well a danger.''
Another visitor, Rashid al Saidi, said, ''A boy got hurt sometime back while playing football. The ball flew over the wall and landed near the water. He hurt himself while climbing down as the area separating the park from the sea has not been levelled.''
Abdullah bin Khalifa, the park's keeper, said, ''The area was damaged when the coastline was hit by Cyclone Gonu. Many children access the damaged area daily. Who will be responsible in case of an accident?
The park's restroom is also in a terrible condition as it lacks proper maintenance. Khalifa said, ''Water is supplied by the municipality but there are days when there is no supply due to maintenance works. The storehouse windows are broken and electrical wires are exposed.''
Khalifa said that he has been working as a park keeper for the past 15 years. ''I have worked at Riyam and Qurm parks, but only here I've had to ask the concerned authorities to maintain my room. They have only changed the air-conditioning unit and refrigerator. My kitchen is in bad shape but nothing has been done yet. The fountain's water also stinks and is only cleaned twice a month. It should be cleaned twice a w
