Lahore was known as the city of gardens. Although most of the ancient gardens are no more, in recent times there have been attempts to add to the existing parks adding much to the beautification of the city. It is interesting that many other cities such as Karachi lost many of its open spaces to commercial developments, Lahore has been able to retain such spaces. The best example of Lahore's vigilance for open spaces is the Race Course Park.

Both Karachi and Lahore had beautiful courses laid out for horse racing. When a ban was clamped on this sport, Karachi gave away part of its racecourse to apartment buildings, while Governor General Jilani Khan of the Punjab developed a beautiful 88-acre park on Lahore's Race Course. This park is now known as Race Course Park as a reminder of the horse races that used to take place here.

Bagh-e-Jinnah

This park is among the oldest 19th century parks and was among the first to be developed by the British after the annexation of the Punjab. Rechristened Bagh-e-Jinnah it was named after the first Lieut. Governor of the Punjab John Lawrence as Lawrence Gardens.

The garden also became the setting for the famous Lawrence and Montgomery Halls. Due to its expanse covering over 112 acres and its beautifully laid out sections, it was often referred to as the Kensington Gardens of Lahore. The first portion of the garden was laid out in 1860. When an ancient garden known as Badami Bagh was sold, further land was bought to add to the Lawrence Gardens.

Part of the garden was given to Agri-Horticulture Society of the Punjab which laid out a botanical garden for which a gardener from the acclaimed Kew Gardens in London was specially invited. Part of the garden at this time was converted into a menagerie, which leant it the name of Chiriya Ghar (the house of birds).

If you are visiting Lahore you cannot miss this wonderfully laid out expanse of garden. It is worth wandering on its paths to relish one of the best kept gardens of the city, its large expanses of grass and enormous historic trees.

Gulshan-e-lqbal Park

This enormous park spread over 100 acres was developed by Lahore Development Authority and is situated in Allama Iqbal Town. It has been laid out to provide recreational facilities and among its most interesting features is its dramatic well lit waterfall. Its two lakes provide boating and fishing facilities. The well laid out amusement facilities for children include trains and Dodgem cars. A small aviary adds to the variety of interesting features. An interesting feature is a maze depicting the plan of the Walled City complete with its gates.

Yadgar-e-Pakistan Park (Minto Park) & Iqbal Park

These are two adjoining parks and are located across the Circular Road from the Mughal citadel. This provides an enormous open space next to the Walled City and the Fort. This large space was originally a parade ground and was converted into the first race course after the British annexation. When the Cantonment was moved to Mian Mir in 1851, the race course was moved to the area close to G.O.R. estate and the space converted into a park. We know that polo continued to be played there until the 1870s, when the nawabs of Bahawalpur and Mamdot enjoyed a game at the ground.

Originally known as Minto Park, today it is the name of the tall memorial tower which dominates the surroundings. This is the park where the resolution for creation of a Muslim homeland was passed on March 23,1930. The historic Muslim League session was addressed by Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah. The 196' high Minar-e-Pakistan or Yadgar-e-Pakistan was built after Independence to commemorate Pakistan Resolution.

The best and encompassing panoramic view of Lahore and the citadel is obtained by using the elevator which takes you all the way up to the top of the tower. The park is a popular recreational spot for Lahorites who congregate there in large numbers. It is often used for holding large public meetings.

Iqbal Park is the adjacent area which accommodates a lake and a stadium providing sports such as hockey and wrestling.

Jallo Park

Jallo Park is one of the famous parks of Lahore which was made in the late 1970s and is credited to General Jilani, Governor of the province at the time. Situated approximately 17 miles from Lahore it is spread over an enormous area of 450 acres. It is laid out with lakes, expanse of grass and drive-in facilities. It is popular as a family resort where children can enjoy water slides, zoological and aviary collections of antelopes, peacocks, pelicans, pheasants, ostriches and zebra etc. The monkeys and reptile varieties are particularly interesting for children.

Sozo Water Park

This private water park is located near Jallo Park. The water slides and pools provide a fun filled environment in which the whole family can participate. Water plays a very important part in creating a sense of coolness in a warm climate, and Sozo Water Park's water reservoirs provide a much needed respite during the long hot spells of Lahore.

Liberty Park

The Liberty Park is situated in Gulberg in front of the famous Liberty Market. A bit run down today it is located in an elite area of the city and is surrounded by large department stores and eating places. The park provides a much needed open space for people visiting the area and contributes to the feeling of open-ness that Lahore is well known for. However, although tracks have been laid out for jogging and walking, there is little activity of this kind due to the exposed nature of the park. There are facilities for children as well. The central portion of the park has shaded, brick-paved walkways and jogging tracks.

Model Town Park

This is a park which forms the centre of the whole development known as Model Town. It was planned as a model urban development during the 1920s and was developed by the Model Town Society organized on a cooperative basis. Influenced by the early 20th century garden town concept of Ebenezer Howard, Model Town was established as a new experiment in town planning, in an area at a considerable distance from the city, which at the time was an uninhabited, jungle-like locality. Soon well laid out streets concentrically arranged around a vast ground gave a special character to the new development.

The houses that came up were also spread out providing generous spaces between structures, and the central portion was developed as a park. The park is no longer as large as originally envisaged due to the encroachments by various buildings including schools and markets. The central part of the park was luckily preserved which has jogging tracks amidst landscaped surroundings. This park is mostly used by the residents of the area.

Race Course Park

This enormous park is located adjacent to the G.O.R. estate which itself is a low-density, spread out estate. At one time races could be watched from the back yards of most of the G.O.R. houses. During the last decade and a half, the park has been developed so as to provide a jogging track and many walkways for the health-conscious Lahorites.

It has been adorned with a Japanese garden, and carries a botanical section. An artificial lake graces the northern part of the park while sprawling lawns make it a pleasure to visit it.

Ravi Park

The tree plantation along the river Ravi is spread over an area of 86 acres and is accordingly known as Ravi Park. The station for boats is situated in this area. The landscaped park offers a boat service for a cruise on the River Ravi. The Ravi has played a very important role in the life of Lahorites. Although its branch that once skirted the battlement of the citadel has moved away, the river can be enjoyed by taking boat rides. The boat station is located on Ravi Road as you travel towards Shahdara. Just before the comparatively new bridge a few steps lead down to the water. It is the same place from where you can get a boat to go to Kamran's Baradari.

Due to the river's seepage certain areas have become natural wetlands. Reinforced by irrigation water and skillful park management, the area has become eminently suitable for wildlife especially as the habitat for wetland birds while species of old trees such as Sheesham, Jamman, coral. Banyan and Mango etc. provide particularly suitable nestling cavities.

Shalamar Gardens

This historic garden is located on the north of Grand Trunk (G.T.) Road. It is easily approachable particularly since new double carriageway has been constructed.

Zoological Garden

The famous Lahore Zoo or Chiriya Char (the abode of birds) is situated in the centre of the city. Originally part of Lawrence Gardens (for details see Chapter 11, Firangi Rahguzar), now known as Bagh-e-Jinnah, the zoo was actually founded in the 1850s, and is thus among the oldest zoos in the subcontinent. Originally begun as an aviary for birds, now it boasts all species of wildlife. It is among the sites which attract a large number of people where whole families are able to enjoy the animals that are kept in the zoo.

Bagh-e-Nur Jahan

There is a cluster of gardens which are now part of the various mausolea. Based on chahar bagh pattern, the cluster was built on the Mughal Empress Nur Jahan's Dilkusha Bagh. The garden is spread over a vast area and consists of Akbari Serai, Jahangir's Tomb and Asaf Khan's Tomb. The garden surrounding Nur Jahan's Tomb, was once connected to the tombs of her husband and brother, however, today it consists of a separate enclave and is spread over 13 acres.

Hazuri Bagh

This garden, which was constructed as a serai for mendicants and scholars is attached to the Badshahi Mosque and acts as its forecourt. It contains Ranjit Singh's Baradari in the centre. Also located in the garden is the Tomb of Allama Iqbal (1873-1938), the national poet. The red sandstone tomb was built in 1951 and is situated on the left side of the entrance to the Badshahi Mosque. Iqbal's tomb is focus of attention all the year round and particularly on his death anniversary when it is visited by a large number of people.

Circular Park

This park was created by filling the ditch that had once encircled the Walled City. The work was taken up in 1863-64 and was a result of an attempt to create hygienic conditions by removing the source of garbage and dirt. Gardens were then laid out extending a circuit of two miles. Trees and flowers were planted which were intersected with walks and drives. Soon, the 19th century chronicles report, it became the "favorite resort of vast numbers of the people of Lahore." The Circular Park is encircled by the Circular Road, which has been made into a wide, dual carriageway, thus occupying a large part of the Circular Park.

Nasser Bagh (Gol Bagh)

Even though it is not really a circular garden, this garden once known as Gol Bagh (gol=circle; bagh=garden) is spread over 14 acres, and is approachable from the Lower Mall. When first established soon after the British annexation, it was well known as Soldiers' Garden. Such gardens were normally laid out by the British in their newly formed cantonments for the recreation of European troops. The Chief Commissioner, Henry Lawrence of the initial Board of Administration formed to govern the province after the annexation, showed much interest in the establishment of the garden, which was close to the original Cantonment of Anarkali. During 1856, after the cantonment was moved to Mian Mir, the Soldiers' Garden was converted into "a place of public resort."

This garden is thus believed to be a forerunner of the Lahore Gymkhana. Soon after annexation it was the gathering place of the beauty and fashion of old Lahore. A 19th century account describes how "fair ladies in enormous crinolines, with attendant swains in peg-top trousers and tall hats, wearing beards and whiskers of portentous size, strolling about among flower-beds, listening to strains of the band" could be seen here. Although now hemmed in with busy traffic on surrounding roads, it is a green turfed park which provides a feeling of openness and greenery to the area. It is commendable that like many other open spaces, Lahore has been able to preserve this historic park.

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