Old Park, Urban park in Jaffna, Sri Lanka.
Old Park is an urban green space in Jaffna that spans multiple acres with walking paths, large trees, and open areas for community use. The space provides room for strolling, resting, and gathering with others.
Percival Ackland Dyke, Government Agent for the Northern Province from 1833 to 1867, bought 27 acres in Jaffna with his own money for his residence and grounds. He bequeathed the land rent-free to his successors through an irrevocable deed of gift via Queen Victoria. Troops were stationed there in the late 1970s, the LTTE occupied it in the late 1980s, and the army returned after 1995. The renovated park reopened in July 2012.
The park's Tamil name, Paḻaiya Pūṅkā, means "old park". Its mango and tamarind harvests were once sold to fund maintenance, and the grounds still hold rare trees such as mahogany, nedun, ironwood, baobab and lignum vitae alongside bats and butterflies.
The park is accessible during daylight hours and offers good conditions for walking and resting in either sun or tree shade. Visitors should bring suitable clothing and water, as the space offers limited protection from the heat.
The park generates income from the harvest of fruits like mango and tamarind grown on its grounds. This revenue directly supports the maintenance and operation of the space.
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