Visit Central Park in Navi Mumbai for an oasis of greenery that offers abundant opportunities for relaxation and recreation. Inaugurated in 2010, it is the sprawling green lung of the planned district of Kharghar. Stretch your legs on marked walking trails and join in games of cricket and soccer. Catch live music and theater shows and take advantage of the many picnic sites.
Everyone from families and fitness enthusiasts, to groups of friends and courting couples frequent the park. Start your visit with a stroll around the artificial lake, where ducks float on the calm waters. Follow paved trails that meander around grassy lawns and bring you up close to varied tree species and botanical flower displays. Those looking to pick up the pace can run on the designated jogging track.
Pause to watch groups engaging in friendly games of cricket and soccer. If you feel like a challenge then ask to take part. Children will enjoy a playground replete with swings, slides, seesaws and climbing frames. Do as the locals do and bring food to eat at one of dozens of picnic areas spread throughout the park.
Walk up the steps to the top of the park’s amphitheater for magnificent panoramic views of the city skyline and Pandavkada Hills. A performance stage at the foot of the amphitheater hosts concerts, dance performances and other cultural events. Don’t miss the sculpture garden, which has displays of musical instruments such as a snake charmer’s pungi wind instrument.
The park is a centrally located attraction of Kharghar, an urban district of Navi Mumbai. Public buses stop on the surrounding streets and free parking is available for drivers. Adjacent to the park is Kharghar Valley Golf Course and the ICKSON Kharghar, a temple of the International Society for Krishna Consciousness.
Central Park is open daily and admission is free. Note that there are two time slots for visiting, once early in the morning and one in the late afternoon.
