Bonds brew at parks

We’ve come full circle. Neighbourhood parks used to be the meeting place for everyone around a couple of years ago. And now it seems they are making a comeback of a different kind. Apartment playgrounds and gardens are the latest places for people to chill, network and even make some new friends. There are young mothers, senior citizens, and even singletons who spend time in the common areas. You can catch them discussing everything from the latest flu scare to the perennial maid problem. Youngsters often catch up on the latest goings on in their favourite sitcoms.
Says Designer Roli M who moved into her apartment from the US a couple of years ago. “When you move into a new apartment in a new place, the playground is the best place to make new friends, regardless of whether you have children or no!”
A lot of times youngsters go for a stroll in the evenings and then take a rest at the playground. Student Sanjay S catches up with his friends at the park just before heading to the gym. “Its strange how we all first met here at the park and then became gym buddies.”
Apartment playgrounds are a great place to network. Roli insists her circle of 20 friends have all been made around this area. They also meet often at each others places at their weekly kitty. Management professional Sushma G believes the latest trends can also be found at the apartment parks. “I am amazed at well-informed people are in these places. Whether it is fashion, the latest nightclub, the hottest place to eat out or even which school scores highest, you can get all your information in one place!”
Discussing shared interests is something that Sushma does with her friends. She met her friend Anju at the park, and joined the neighbourhood Kathak class with her. “I would have never enrolled on my own. Thanks to Anju I am doing something cultural. We also swim on weekends.”
While there are some who swear by these parks, others like artist Divya A feel her apartment playground has become a tussle between maids and mothers. “A lot of times you see maids chatting around and I happen to be the only mother there. It’s very disappointing because you go down to meet new people. Sometimes the maids even come up to me and ask me if I need a help at home! But I still like to chill here because it is a relief from the routine.”
Bengaluru playgrounds have come full circle indeed.

Courtesy:Deccanchronicle