There was a time when a holiday for children meant stepping out of the house, meeting friends at the neighbourhood park and spending hours running around until it was time to go home. No reels, no scrolling and no screens, just swings, slides, games and conversations with other children.

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Today, that picture has changed. A mobile phone has become an easy companion for children, while busy routines and changing lifestyles have reduced the time spent outdoors. But when parents do decide to take their children to a park, another question awaits them, is there enough space in the city where children can actually play, safely and comfortably?

Across Guwahati, concerns are being raised over the condition of some public parks, with parents pointing to broken play equipment, maintenance issues and changes in the overall environment. For many families, these parks are among the few accessible spaces where children can step away from screens and spend time outdoors.

So, while children may be spending more time indoors with their phones, the question is whether the outdoor spaces meant for them are being maintained well enough to bring them back.

At Nehru Park, one parent visiting with her six-year-old child told GPlus that she was disappointed after returning to the park following a long gap.

Speaking with GPlus, the parent said, "Earlier we often used to visit different parks and we are visiting Nehru Park after a gap. We feel sad watching the condition of the park. We brought our son to play here but the condition is very bad. Maximum 50% of the things are broken and my son, including the other kids, can't play."

For parents, the concern goes beyond the appearance of the park. Broken swings, slides and other play equipment directly affect the very purpose for which children are brought to these spaces.

Another parent questioned the condition of the park despite recent renovation work. The parent said the ticket prices had also been increased, but the condition of the facilities remained a concern.

The parent questioned what the purpose of the renovation was if children were still unable to properly use several of the facilities.

Responding to the concerns, Nehru Park in-charge under GMDA, Biswajit Nath, said that periodic checks are conducted and contractors have been assigned to look after the park.

Speaking with GPlus, Nath said, "Periodic checking is always being done and we have also assigned contractors to look after it. If something is broken recently, I am not aware of it. I will surely look after it and improve it."

However, the concerns are not limited to Nehru Park.

At Sradhanjali Kanan, another parent raised questions about both the condition of the park and the overall environment.

Speaking with GPlus, the parent said, "The park used to be for children, but now it has become something else and we can't even take our child there. It doesn't maintain the decency of the place."

She further alleged that nearly half of the items were broken or in poor condition and expressed concern over the changing crowd at the park.

"Half of the items are broken and in bad condition and even the crowd has changed and is not suitable for children. The authorities should look into it," she said.

The concern about the changing crowd brings another aspect of the issue into focus. For parents, a children's park is not only about having functioning swings or slides. The atmosphere of the place also matters.

A visitor speaking with GPlus said that the crowd in some parks has changed and that parents need to be careful about the spaces they choose for their children.

"The crowd has also changed in a few parks and is not suitable for children. It gives a negative impact to them. Parents should also understand and select carefully where they should be taken, and adults should also understand how to behave properly and maintain decency," the visitor said.

This also places a responsibility on visitors themselves. While authorities are expected to maintain infrastructure and ensure that children's facilities remain functional, adults using public spaces also have a role in maintaining appropriate behaviour and ensuring that parks remain welcoming for families.

Speaking with GPlus, Sradhanjali Kanan in-charge under GMDA, Kirti Talukdar said, "I don't want to say anything regarding this. I will look into the matter."

The concerns raised by parents bring the conversation back to the larger question of children's spaces in an expanding city.

For children growing up in a city increasingly surrounded by screens, well-maintained public parks can offer more than just a place to play. They can provide a space to run, interact with others, develop social skills and simply spend time outdoors.

But broken play equipment, poor maintenance and concerns over the overall environment can discourage families from using these spaces. At the same time, maintaining a child-friendly park cannot be the responsibility of authorities alone. Visitors and adults using these public spaces also need to respect the surroundings and maintain appropriate behaviour.

As the city grows and childhood continues to become increasingly digital, perhaps the need is not only for more parks, but for parks that children can actually use, families can feel comfortable visiting and the community can collectively take care of.

Because when children finally look up from their screens and step outside, the city should have a space waiting for them.