Capital calls for funds to build playgrounds

Local authorities in the capital are calling for private capital to invest in more parks for children in new urban areas.

Among them, an entertainment area in Nghia Do with total investment of over 5 billion VND (240,000 USD) has been built in an attempt to solve the problem.

Nghia Do Park attracts residents from Cau Giay and surrounding districts to its eight hectares of modern facilities.

Children can play with modern equipment which was donated and installed by Japanese experts.

"My three-year-old daughter likes playing on the ground a lot so I take her there every weekend," said Nguyen Thu Phuong, a resident living near the park, adding that the equipment is safe for kids to play with.

Construction of a playground in Cau Giay Park was finished at the beginning of this month with funding from 13 local enterprises and 30 individuals of over 8 billion VND (385,000 USD).

There is no entrance fee for the facility, and the park is attracting huge numbers of visitors, especially children.

Visitors reached up to 3,000 at the weekend, according to Nguyen The Toan, standing deputy secretary of the district party committee.

The district also planned to install at least one mini public playground in each ward using social funds by 2015, Toan said.

"Local enterprises will be encouraged to reserve a small part of their land budget for the construction of playgrounds," he said.

With no funds available to build playgrounds, district authorities would ask for support from local businesses, Toan added.

More parks are springing up around the city, but they are still not enough to cater for the capital's children.

Nguyen Chi Thanh, a resident in an apartment building on Hoang Hoa Tham Street, said that he seldom takes his kids to the park because it is far away and he does not have the time.

"Many families who live here are willing to contribute money for the construction of a playground", Thanh said.

With support from both businesses and residents, hopefully more entertainment areas will be built to give children proper recreation areas to play in rather than on the streets or in internet cafes, especially during the summer, Toan said.