Hill Park

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Hill Park of Karachi is situated on a hilltop surrounded by a residential area known as P.E.C.H.S. in Karachi, Pakistan. It has many amusement spots, fast food centers, restaurants, a pond and other facilities. Each day people from all parts of the city, especially families, visit this park.

[edit] History

A view of Karachi from Hill Park in 1968.

Hill Park of Karachi, as it appeared in 1968.

The Administration of Ayub Khan approved the Hill Park in the mid of 1960's as there were not many recreational spots around the city during those days. Due to the location and structure of the hill in the midst of the PECHS Society, the authorities decided to built a park over there. The construction work started in 1968. And there was a small notice board, which read in Urdu: Yahan hill park baney ga - Hill park will be constructed here.

View of a road leading to the Karachi Hill Park in 1968.

During the 1960’s, before the Hill Park was developed, people from all over the city showed up, particularly students from local colleges and universities. In 1969 when the construction work completed, the park became lively and active. It turned into a picnic spot where people could spend some time to relax and enjoy with their friends and families. On Saturday and Sunday evenings the hill park swarmed with families. During the early days the park was also used for filming by the Television and film industry. Local businessmen also used it in the late evenings as a relaxation spot after a hectic days work. In the beginning there was a pond in the heart of the park with ducks swimming in it. The site was a major attraction for the children who spent time at the Hill Park during the 1960's. There was also an old movie projector that played classic Pakistani movies, for which you'd get your seats under a sea of sparkling stars. This was all during the Pre-VCR age when there was not much entertainment around the city. Later with the passage of time, Meiraj Amusement Park developed in the eastern corner and Shezan Restaurant in the west. And then someone opened a physical fitness center and a karate school behind the Mairaj Amusement park in 1973-74.

With time some other amusement parks, fast food centers and restaurants like the Oasis were built on the park. Despite the fact that today’s Hill Park has changed and has become a crowded spot, this fabulous park had been built in such a manner that one could still find the same calm and peaceful atmosphere of yesterday. It is a popular place for couples to meet up discretely as well as a good location for sexually active people. It is also a popular cruising destination for gay men in the city.