Long before Bengaluru gained its reputation as a startup hub, it was renowned for its beautiful parks and gardens, sprawling with majestic old trees.

Apart from the iconic Cubbon Park and Lal Bagh, here are a few other places that make Bengaluru the ‘garden city’.

Located in the calm residential hood in South Bengaluru, the park stands by its name and resembles a small forest in the midst of homes. It has ample seating area for elders and swings for the young ones. Where: Mini Forest, Aris Global, 3rd Phase, JP Nagar. Timings: 5:30 am to 8:30 pm

Mini Forest

This place is great to take your little ones for their playtime or even have a small picnic. It has a musical fountain, a 4.5-km jogging track, over 250 plant species, a rock garden, and plenty of sculptures portraying farm life. Where: JP Park, 22/1, Tank Bund Road, Brindavan Nagar, Bandappa Garden, Mathikere. Timings: 5 am to 11 am and 4 pm to 8:15 pm

JP Park

Made around rock formations that are millions of years old, the Bugle Rock Park is a wonder in itself. You can either stroll amid the trees or enjoy the various programmes held in its amphitheatre. Where: Bugle Rock Park, Bull Temple Road, Basavanagudi. Timings: 9 am to 7 pm

Bugle Rock Park

Among some of the oldest gardens in the city, Coles Park is a place where you will lose track of time. Besides hosting a huge playpark with kid-friendly activities and lush green trees, it also has a skating rink. Where: 6/1, Promenade Rd, Pulkeshi Nagar, Pulikeshi Nagar. Timings: 8 am to 8:30 pm

Coles Park

Just beside the famous Sankey lake, the park is a must-visit. You can enjoy a wonderful sunset at the lake while the little ones chase pigeons at the children’s play area here, which has many swings, slides, and a jungle gym. Where: Sankey Tank Park, 273, Sankey Rd, 18th Cross Rd, Malleshwaram. Timings: 5 am to 9 am and 4:30 pm to 8 pm

Sankey Tank

Spread over 25 acres, this park is a green oasis breathing fresh air into the locality. Besides being covered with thick greenery, the park has well-equipped play areas, a cricket pitch, an outdoor gym, and a jogging track. Where: MN Krishna Rao Park, Dewan Madhava Rao Road, Basavanagudi. Timings: 5 am to 12 pm and 3 pm to 9 pm

MN Krishna Rao Park

With an entry fee of just Rs 30, you will find yourself surrounded by colourful butterflies fluttering their wings all around you. A massive hit among curious young kids, the park has over 48 species of butterflies in the park’s domed structure. Where: Butterfly Park, Bannerghatta Biological Park, Bannerghatta. Timings: 9:30 am to 5 pm

Butterfly Park

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