The gate of Tuoi Tre (Youth) Park.
Ngo The Anh, deputy director of the Hai Ba Trung Investment and Construction Management Board, says the upgrade would transform the park's functions from serving only young people to serving all age groups.
"The park will become a venue for culture, sports, and entertainment events and will be opened for free to the public," Anh said. "As it lies on Vo Thi Sau Street and hosts the monument of Heroic Martyr Vo Thi Sau, we propose changing the park's name to Vo Thi Sau Park."
Covering over 26 hectares, Tuoi Tre (Youth) Park project was approved in 2000 with total investment of VND280 billion. It was intended to become a key entertainment venue for young people in Hanoi.
However, it has been abandoned for years and is being illegally encroached on by many businesses and households.
Investigations showed that 14 works had been illegally built inside the park, including the Queen Bee Restaurant, two tennis courts, an office building, and supermarkets. About 17 households have also encroached on the park.
Other equipment in the park has become rusty. Local people say it has never been used.