Is Chennai's First Sponge Park with Sports Courts the Future of Urban Recreation?
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Synopsis
Discover how Chennai is pioneering urban flood management with its first sponge park, cleverly designed to offer recreational spaces while combating waterlogging. This innovative project combines sustainable technology with community needs, paving the way for a greener, more resilient city.
Key Takeaways
- Multi-use public space: The sponge park combines flood mitigation and recreational facilities.
- Innovative water management: Underground tanks store significant rainwater to prevent flooding.
- Community health focus: The park promotes sports and leisure activities for residents.
- Scalable model: Plans for similar parks in other flood-prone areas are underway.
- Support from global organizations: The project is backed by the Asian Development Bank and Germany’s KfW Bank.
Chennai, Sep 7 (NationPress) The Greater Chennai Corporation (GCC) is creating an innovative sponge park at the football ground in Mathur MMDA Colony, merging flood management with recreational amenities.
This ambitious initiative includes constructing substantial underground rainwater harvesting tanks alongside a kabaddi court, football pitch, jogging track, and tiered seating above, resulting in a versatile public space.
For the first time, such a large-scale project is being implemented at a football ground. Spanning 1.89 acres, the Mathur development will feature underground ecobloc rainwater harvesting tanks and tunnels that can store up to 12 lakh litres of water.
With an investment of Rs 8.06 crore, the project is funded under the Urban Flood Risk Mitigation Project, with backing from the National Disaster Mitigation Fund.
Construction commenced on July 24 and is projected to conclude within 12 months. It will unfold in phases, encompassing the installation of rainwater harvesting systems, civil works, and landscaping.
The finished facility will enable the football ground to function as a sponge, absorbing stormwater during rainfall while acting as a center for sports and leisure year-round.
This initiative builds on previous efforts by the GCC to address waterlogging through advanced rainwater harvesting technology. The Corporation has already installed underground storage tanks of five lakh litres each in eight city playgrounds, including locations like Model School Road, St. Mary’s Road, Trustpuram, Indira Nagar, Natesan Road, Balmoral, Crescent Road in Shenoy Nagar East, and Mayor Ramanathan Road. Additionally, smaller 3,000-litre tanks have been established in 770 parks across Chennai, effectively preventing waterlogging in those areas during recent downpours.
To expand this initiative, similar structures are being constructed in 1,000 public spaces in the Kosasthalaiyar basin for Rs 10 crore and in 2,000 locations in the Kovalam basin at Rs 20 crore. These projects are supported by the Asian Development Bank and Germany’s KfW Bank.
The Mathur sponge park is envisioned as a larger demonstration model that integrates both stormwater storage and community recreation.
With football and kabaddi facilities situated above the tanks, complemented by landscaped areas, the project aims to fulfill the dual purpose of flood resilience and social well-being. It is expected that similar sponge parks will be developed in other flood-prone areas of the city in the future.
Point of View
I believe this project represents a significant step forward in integrating sustainable practices into urban planning. The sponge park concept not only addresses immediate flooding issues but also promotes community health and well-being, showcasing the potential for innovative solutions in city management.
NationPress
07/09/2025
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a sponge park?
A sponge park is a designed urban space that incorporates rainwater harvesting systems to manage flood risks while providing recreational facilities.
How much water can the sponge park store?
The Mathur sponge park will have a storage capacity of 12 lakh litres of rainwater.
What sports facilities will be available at the sponge park?
The sponge park will feature a kabaddi court, a football pitch, and a jogging track.
When is the sponge park expected to be completed?
Construction began on July 24 and is scheduled for completion within 12 months.
How is the sponge park funded?
The initiative is funded under the Urban Flood Risk Mitigation Project with support from the National Disaster Mitigation Fund.
