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Saturday, April 27, 2019

Anna Nagar Tower Park, Chennai

Anna Nagar Tower Park, Chennai
Anna Nagar Tower Park, officially known as Dr. Visveswaraya Tower Park, is an urban park in the suburb of Anna NagarChennai. It is the tallest park tower in Chennai. The soaring 12-storey tower in the heart of the park punctuates the skyline and gives the park its popular name. The tower has been closed for the public. However, the park is still open. The park extends over an area of over 15 acres. Tower Park attracts scores of local residents and even people from other areas of Chennai because it has plenty to offer apart from its leafy greenery. There is a lake, an Amphitheatre, a bird-watching deck, badminton courts, play area for kids and a skating rink. Visvesvaraya Park is maintained by the Chennai Corporation.


History
Anna Nagar Tower Park was built in 1968 as part of the World Trade Fair. The park was built by B. S. Abdur Rahman and was inaugurated by former Vice-President V. V. Giri in the presence of the then Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu C. N. Annadurai. The park was renovated at a cost of Rs 62 million and reopened in 2010.


The Park
The park covers an area of 15.35 acres and is one of the few remaining lung spaces in the city. The main component of the park is the 135-foot-tall, 12-storied tower located at the centre of the park. The tower has cyclic ramp spiraling to the top. The tower also has an elevator at the centre. The park, along with the tower, is maintained by the Chennai Corporation. The park has an Amphitheatre, a bird-watching deck, badminton courts, play area for kids, a skating rink, a lake, and convenience facilities for the visitors. The park has a variety of activities to offer for various enthusiasts like Silambattam, Karate, Yoga, Parkour.


After the December 2015 rains, the Lake area is full of large fishes, Birds and Turtles and has become a major attraction for the locals. Since the local police are not able to effectively manage the tower, entry to the tower has been banned since 2011 due in part to instances of suicides and scribblers, thereby depriving the city of a valuable tourist location. It is popular with morning walkers and joggers, and with families and young people in the evenings to play and relax.


Park Opening Time
The Park opens from 04.00 a.m. to 11.30 a.m. and 03.00 p.m to 9.00 p.m.
Connectivity
Anna Nagar Tower Park is located near the chief roundabout of the neighbourhood (known as the Anna Nagar Roundana) and the Ayyappan Temple. The main entrance of Anna Nagar Tower Park is located on the 3rd Main Road next to the Tower Club. The second entrance lies near the Ayyappan Temple on the 6th Main road. The Park is situated besides Anna Nagar Ayyappan Koil Bus Stop. The Park is located at about 500 meters from Anna Nagar Tower Metro Station, 600 meters from Anna Nagar East Metro Station, 2 Kms from Thirumangalam Metro Station, 2 Kms from Thirumangalam Junction Bus Stop, 4 Kms from Koyambedu Chennai Mofussil Bus Terminus, 8 Kms from Egmore Railway Station, 9 Kms from Chennai Central Railway Station and 21 Kms from Chennai Airport. The Park can be easily reached easily either by public transport or by auto rickshaw/taxi, as the temple is located in a prime location of Chennai.