Lake near Wanawadi

It is always a pleasure to have guests at our home. We always look for places that can be visited within the city limits. There are the usual places like museums, temples, shopping streets (M.G. road and Laxmi Road in Pune) and the new funky malls. However, these are places that are found in all the cities and probably the guests want something better. We are lucky to have this nice park very close to our home. We have not only taken our guests but also friends who live in Pune but are not aware of this park.



Within a five minutes drive from our home, we reach the park that we have visited many times now and always enjoy going back again. The main attraction is boating. Instead of going all the way to Lonavala or Mahabaleshwar for boating, we can enjoy some nice time boating right next to our home. The park has both peddle boats and row boats.


Another attraction is a hanging bridge over the lake. It gives some anxious moments as one goes over it. The kids enjoy going again and again over it once they get a hang of it. There are quite a number of ducks floating on the lake at any time. There are lots of fishes found in some parts of the lake. Many people come over to feed them early in the morning. There are many different varieties of birds found around the lake. I am not into serious bird watching, else I could have indentified the species of the birds. But, it could be a paradise for any bird watcher. There is an open space where people can just sit around and enjoy the cool environment while the kids play around. There is a play area for kids with some slides and swings, but is not in very good condition.

Overall its a little paradise in the middle of all the hustle bustle of the city.




Useful Information on visiting the park.

Route:

Click here to see the exact location of the lake.

Since this park is within the complex of S R P F, you will need to go through one of the main gates of the complex. The guard at the gate will ask you about where you want to go. You can ask him a permit to visit the lake. If convinced, you will be permitted to enter the complex.

Charges:

Entry for the park is Rs. 5 per person. The boating charges are Rs. 15 per person. There is sufficient parking available for 4 wheelers and 2 wheelers.

Trivia:

Aamir Khan's Mangal Pandey was partly shot here !!