Karachi's parks and gardens provide the much needed open space in the densely built up city. There are several historic gardens as well as post-Independence parks.

Historical Gardens

Zoological Garden

Aga Khan Road (Garden Road).

The oldest garden of the city. Zoological Garden is located between Aga Khan Road (Garden Road) and Nisthar Road (Lawrence Road). It was the site of the original English factory established in 1799 by Nathan Crow of the Bombay Civil Service, when he arrived in "Curachee, the only sea port town of Sindh with a population of ten thousand."

Known earlier as Government Gardens, it was laid out during the 1870s by H.M. Birdwood, Ffinch of Indo-European Telegraph and Municipality Engineer, the famous James Strachan (for details of his buildings see Chapter 6), with cricket and croquet grounds, a handsome bandstand and well-laid paths. Originally consisting of 43 acres, it was established in 1839 to provide fresh vegetables to British troops. Later, vegetables and fruits of all kinds were grown here; excellent grapes were produced in its vineyard for which original slips were obtained at the time from California by Commissioner-in-Sind Evan James.

The twentieth century saw its conversion into a zoo when many cages were built to house various animals. It was taken over by Karachi Municipal Corporation in 1953. Today, with a reduced acreage of 33, it houses 150 mammals, 660 birds, and 68 reptiles. There is also an aquarium which houses 200-300 fishes.

A beautifully executed fountain constructed in 1883 in memory of Bombay philanthropist Cowasjee Jehangir Readymoney, dominates the central part of the park. Although situated in an area with traffic congestion and extreme pollution, once you enter the gates of the zoo, you are transported into another world. With beautiful historic trees, winding paths and ponds with weeping willows and floating ducks, it is a haven both for the visitors and animals alike.

Bagh-e-Jinnah

Abdullah Haroon Road (Victoria Road) and Fatima Jinnah Road (Bonus Road).

Earlier known as Frere Hall Gardens, this 15.46 acre garden is located in one of the most prestigious parts of the city. In its vicinity are ABN AMRO Bank Country Office, Marriott Hotel, Sind Club and U.S. Consulate General. The main attraction of the garden is the remarkable Indo-Gothic Frere Hall constructed in 1865, which houses a library and an exhibition gallery, Galerie Sadequain.

The garden is approachable from Abdullah Haroon Road (Victoria Road) as well as Fatima Jinnah Road (Bonus Road), two important roads of the city. Apart from the historic building, the garden houses Eduiji Dinshaw fountain, and an old cast iron birdbath, both historically valuable. Before Independence the statue of Queen Victoria and Edward VII stood in the Queen's Lawn facing Abdullah Haroon Road (Victoria Road) and King's Lawn facing Fatima Jinnah Road (Bonus Road) respectively.

Unfortunately, an octagonal canopied bandstand, which stood in the northwest comer, close to Sind Club boundary, is no longer there, but was at one time a great attraction when the local garrison's Goan military musicians played marshal music there; it is hoped that the original bandstand will be located and re-erected in its original location.

On its north eastern corner is located the tall Baluch Monument in pink Jodhpur stone.

Karachi citizens find it delightful in the evenings when Frere Hall is illuminated, and they can enjoy the cool southwesterly sea breeze on its lawns.

Bagh-e-Quaid-e-Azam

Dr. Ziauddin Ahmed Road (Kutchery Road) and Aiwan-e-Sadr Road (Havelock Road).

Some times referred to as Gulshan-e-Jinnah, it is also known as Baradari because of an open pavilion that has been constructed there. This 20-acre park is located to the west of Sindh Governor House (formerly Government House) and until the 1970s was known as the Polo Ground.

The ground is of historic significance since it is the venue of the first march past after Independence when Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah took the salute as the first Governor-General of Pakistan.

The park has been laid out with a grassy football ground, a Japanese garden. Children's recreation area, pathways and walkways, jogger's track etc.

Other Historic Parks include Burnes Garden, where National Museum of Pakistan is situated (for history of this garden see Rambagh Quarter in Rahguzar 3 in Chapter 6); Jehangir Park, at one time part of Empress Market Gardens and located west of historic Empress Market; Garden of Karachi Parsi Institute, Sangster Road, which maintains historic statues of prominent Parsis.

Modern Parks & Aquariums

Safari Park

Rashid Minhas Road, Gulshan-e-labal. Located at Gulshan-e-Iqbal, on the road to University of Karachi, Safari park covers an area of 407 Acres.

A master plan for the park was developed in 1981, when it was planned that provisions should be made to maintain the animals in their natural habitat. In the Safari Park an area of 72 acres is dedicated to a zoo and 52 acres for an amusement park. Presently only a part of the park has been developed. There are 4 enclosures which have 350 animals of 21 species as well as breeding colonies of species threatened with extinction in their wild state.

Bagh-i-lbn-e Qasim

Khayaban-e-Saadi and Clifton Beach. This park consists of 80 acres of land and is situated between Jehangir Kothari Parade, Old Clifton, extending towards the sea front. It provides a large expanse of greenery near the beach, which is particularly attractive when seen with historic Jehangir Kothari Pavilion, Parade and Lady Lloyd Pier as the backdrop.

Hill Park

Kohsar, off Shara-e-Faisal.

This park, which is spread over 56 acres, is the most picturesque in Karachi due to its hilly terrain. Since the park is located at an elevated position, it is particularly refreshing because of the cool prevailing breeze that can be enjoyed. A fun land for children is located here.

Aquariums

There are two public Aquariums: one at the Zoological Garden and another near Jehangir Kothari Parade at Clifton. These aquariums are particularly interesting for children.

Zoological Garden Aquarium. Constructed in 1953, the aquarium has 28 display tanks which contain a total of 30 species, and as mentioined under Zoological Gardens in this section, 200-300 fish.

Clifton Aquarium

It dates from 1964 and has 14 fresh-water and 33 sea-water display tanks, as well as one pool for turtle and large fish. There are also 100-150 Aquarium fauna on display and 2500-3000 fish and other Aquatic Animals.

Museums

Art Galleries

Cultural Centers

Amusement Parks

Gardens & Parks

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