Bangabandhu Udyan
Bell's Park
বঙ্গবন্ধু উদ্যান
TypeUrban park
LocationBandh Road, Barisal, Bangladesh
Coordinates22°41′34″N 90°22′08″E / 22.6927°N 90.3690°E / 22.6927; 90.3690
Area9.47 acres (3.83 ha) (approx.)
Established1896 (1896)
StatusOpen all year

Bangabandhu Udyan popularly known as Bell's Park is a historic urban park and recreation area situated at the heart of Barisal, a city in south-central Bangladesh. This park is one of the beautiful areas in Barisal with a playground, walkway, helipad, many trees and a lake adjacent to it.

History

The park was constructed in 1896 by subscriptions during the magistracy of N.D. Beatson-Bell to celebrate the visit of Sir Alexander Mackenzie, Lieutenant-Governor of Bengal.[1] At that time, it was laid out in the open space between the civil lines and the riverside road. Kirtankhola river used to be located just beside the park and many palm trees were planted across the road. The park was named after Beatson Bell to recognize his contribution to the city development, Muslim education and public health of Barisal people.[2]

Tha park has been the principal playground of the city for decades and is the center of all sports and athletic activities.[3] It has been also used for huge public meeting where Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, Ziaur Rahman, Hussain Muhammad Ershad, Sheikh Hasina, Khaleda Zia and other national leaders came and gave a speech to people.[4][5] It also hosts many other social and cultural events yearly.

The park was renamed as Bangabandhu Udyan in 1996 by the ruling party and a stage and Bangabandhu mural was built in memory of his first visit to Barisal to join the public meeting there in 1972.[6]

In 2011, Shawkat Hossain Hiron, former mayor of the city, took initiatives for the significant development and beautification of the park. Walkway surrounded by the park, flower plants, benches, and illumination, was done at a cost of around 1 Crore Taka.

References

  1. ↑ Jack, James Charles (1918). Bengal District Gadgeteer : Bakarganj. Calcutta: Bengal Secretariat Book Depot. p. 130. Retrieved 18 October 2018.
  2. ↑ Ghosh, Sushanto (20 May 2014). বেলস পার্ক থেকে বঙ্গবন্ধু উদ্যান (in Bengali). Archived from the original on 18 March 2019. Retrieved 18 October 2018.
  3. ↑ Rashid, Habibur (1981). Bangladesh District Gazetteer: Bakerganj. Dhaka: Bangladesh Government Press. p. 80.
  4. ↑ "PM Hasina to visit Patuakhali, Barisal Thursday". Dhaka Tribune. 7 February 2018. Retrieved 18 October 2018.
  5. ↑ "Khaleda arrives in Barisal for rally". bdnews24.com. 12 May 2010. Retrieved 18 October 2018.
  6. ↑ বেলস্ পার্ক থেকে বঙ্গবন্ধু উদ্যান | বরিশাল নগরীর ঐতিহাসিক ঘটনার সাক্ষী. Daily Janakantha (in Bengali). 14 May 2016. Retrieved 18 October 2018.
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