Chennai: After a long delay of six months, Greater Chennai Corporation reopened the Bougainvillea Park in Anna Nagar on Monday. Spread over 12,800sqm, the park has been upgraded with 1,350 trees and plants of 30 varieties. It features a 17,000sqft walking track, 44 decorative lights, a modern open-air gym, a meditation pavilion and a children’s play area.Revenue minister K A Sengottaiyan inaugurated the facility that was renovated at a cost of ₹2.95 crore. Pink and yellow bougainvillea flowers are found around the park, hence the name.The project was launched by the DMK govt last year, and the work was completed recently. Though the renovation started in Oct last, the project faced delays as the contractor did not keep up with the deadlines, and faced penalties too.Following the inauguration, Sengottaiyan inspected the park facilities and interacted with residents and advised officials to ensure the park is maintained properly.Other amenities include 50 benches of three different designs, three pergolas, and toilets for men, women and persons with disabilities, an artificial fountain and 120 sprinklers. Officials said the upgraded park is expected to benefit more than 500 visitors daily.Anna Nagar MLA V K Ramkumar said they discussed with residents about upkeep of the park, improving security, and reducing encroachments on the sixth avenue. “We want to ensure the park is safe and no untoward incidents happen here. We want more green cover in Anna Nagar, and we will explore the possibilities of more recreational sites,” he said.Residents said the neighbourhood requires more parks, as both the Tower and Bougainvillea parks are crowded. “There were fewer crowds earlier. But once the park standards improved, people from Anna Nagar West, Shanthi Colony, and Thirumangalam, too, started to come here for recreation. People need more such parks within their neighbourhoods,” said K Samanth, a resident of Anna Nagar Old Z Block.