This year, Swati Bungalow Park and Sukan Park were named winners in the 1.5 to 2 acres and 2 to 2.6 acres categories, respectively. Both parks were renovated and are maintained by Torrent Group’s social and philanthropic arm, UNM Foundation as part of its flagship Pratiti program.
The ceremony was graced by renowned environmental educator Mr Kartikeya Sarabhai as the Chief Guest and Prof. Pradip Khandwalla, along with representatives from the UNM Foundation, Prof Barjor Mehta, President, CEPT University; Prof Tridip Suhrud, Provost, Prof. Chirayu Bhatt, Dy Provosot (Academics); Prof. Chandrani Chakrabarti, Program Chair, Master’s in Landscape Architecture (MLA), faculty members, students, and staff.
KCF and CEPT joined hands to assess and identify the best parks occupying land owned by the AMC. As many as 127 parks spread over 1.5 to 2 acres and 2 to 2.6 acres categories were assessed for the study using Google Earth imagery data. Through a multi-stage evaluation process, 36 parks were shortlisted for further detailed evaluation on key parameters such as spatial structure and design, biodiversity and environmental quality, user experience and engagement, and amenities, infrastructure, and contextual understanding.
A significant moment at the event was the felicitation of the gardening and security teams for their tireless year-round work. This small but notable gesture highlights the need to acknowledge not just decision makers but every civic servant dedicated to keeping the city’s green spaces thriving.
The Anjali Khandwalla Best Parks Award was instituted in 2019 by KCF and is headed by Prof. Pradip Khandwalla, former Director of the Indian Institute of Management, Ahmedabad, to honour the memory of his late wife, Mrs Anjali Khandwalla, who was a passionate gardener. The first edition, in 2019, and the second, in 2022, were both celebrated as meaningful steps in encouraging civic responsibility and design excellence in urban open spaces. The awards celebrate this spirit of collaboration, exemplifying how collective stewardship can transform urban landscapes into sustainable, inclusive, and vibrant community spaces.
