Roche Park

## Sad State of Our Coastal Park This park is a big disappointment. What should be a beautiful place near the beach has become a mess. The first thing you notice is the terrible fish smell that makes you want to leave immediately. The amazing ocean view is completely blocked by a huge thermal power plant. Instead of seeing beautiful waves and horizon, visitors are stuck looking at big industrial buildings and machinery. The park itself looks terrible. Nobody seems to care about maintaining it. The walking paths are broken, grass is overgrown, and everything looks dirty and abandoned. It's clear that no one has taken care of this place for a long time. What makes it worse is that the location is actually fantastic. If someone just spent a little time cleaning and fixing things, this could be an amazing spot for families and tourists to enjoy. Right now, it's just a sad example of how good places can be ruined by neglect. The park needs urgent help to become nice again. Someone needs to clean it up, remove the bad smell, and make it welcoming. Rating: 1/5 stars - Avoid visiting until major improvements are made.

Roche Park in Tuticorin (Thoothukudi in Tamil) is just a few km away from the town and sits straight near the coast line. Even if you visit during the day time, the cool breeze from the sea keeps you cool. The coastline here is different from what you see in Madras or other coastal cities. Tuticorin sea coast has almost no continental shelf - you can't wade into the sea water through a sand ridge. You will fall into deep sea here. You can fish standing on the rocky outcrop right on the shore. The park itself is nothing spectacular. The Roche Park is named after Chevalier John Ladislaus Pitchaiya Roche Victoria - a minister for fisheries just after India's independence. It has the usual kid play area. What makes it so unique is the adjacent sea. People can wade through rocks amidst the sea, against the backdrop of smoke stakes from the thermal power plants nearby. You can learn fishing standing on the rocks jutting out of the sea. Get your refreshments from the town as the stalls nearby have little to offer other than the usual coffee/tea.

A spacious park for families and kids. We visited the park in the evening. - No entry fee to the park. - Families can spend their free time with kids. - Lighting was missing in some areas of the park when we visited. - Some snacks stalls are running outside the park. Cool breeze will make you more comfortable.

Decent place to go for a walk and grab some fresh air around late eve. Has benches and open design plan huts to sit and hang out. Has open areas to play cricket/football. Has an inbuilt kids playground. Has some stalls nearby for quick refreshment.

Good place to spend time with kids. Lots of play activities for kids. As well as relaxing area for all. Lots of creations from waste items like iron plates, old motorcycle and car spares. We can enjoy the seashore view also