7 Beautiful Parks in Coimbatore (Covai/Kovai) (2024)

Best Parks in Coimbatore

Coimbatore, or Covai/Kovai, is a major tourist destination in Tamil Nadu. Located on the banks of the Noyyal River and surrounded by the beautiful Western Ghats, Coimbatore is home to some of the best parks in South India. These parks are the city’s green lungs and help bring in a much-needed dash of green to this metro city. Here are some of the best parks in Coimbatore.

1. TNAU Botanical Garden

Coimbatore’s very own botanical garden, the TNAU Botanical Garden, was established in 1925 and houses many varieties of exotic trees, flowers, and plants. Spread over 300 hectares of land, the park is a huge draw for tourists and locals alike. The botanical garden is situated on the premises of the Tamil Nadu Agricultural University and is an ideal place to gain more knowledge about various herbs, shrubs, and medicinal plants.

You will be able to see many incubators here that are growing several non-seasonal plants and maintaining the desired temperature and water supply to control and promote the optimal growth of these plants. You can also take a guided tour of TNAU Botanical Garden if you want to learn more about the different types of spices that are being grown here. The well-maintained garden includes vibrantly colored flowers like marigold, roses, carnations, lilies, chrysanthemums, and many others.

The TNAU museum is also located on the premises of the botanical garden, and it houses a huge collection of some of the most interesting rocks, insects, and pests.

2. VOC Park and Zoo

Also known as the V. O. Chidambaranar Park, the VOC Park and Zoo in Coimbatore is a zoo and amusement park rolled into one. This has made it one of the most visited attractions by the locals of Coimbatore. In fact, on weekends, the place is so crowded that there are long lines to get entry into many of the rides of the amusement park.

This park and the zoological garden in Coimbatore is a popular picnic spot for families as there is also a separate play area for children. Apart from the play area, the park also has a Jurassic Park and an aquarium. There is also a toy train that takes you around the park.

There are over 500 animals from 30 species, including mammals, birds, and reptiles. The VOC Park and Zoo also has more than 200 species of exotic trees, including Sandalwood. Recently, the zoo witnessed the birth of a rosy pelican hatchling after 14 years, which was a rare event in itself as this species has a very low fertility rate.

The grounds are also used for holding many events and fairs during the year, including the Republic Day and Independence Day celebrations.

3. Aliyar Dam Reservoir Park

Located at the foothills of the beautiful Valparai in the majestic Anamalai Hills of the Western Ghats, the Aliyar Dam Reservoir Park in Coimbatore is spread across a 6.48 square kilometer reservoir. Surrounded by rolling lush green mountains and breathtaking beauty, the whole atmosphere here is so serene that it makes you forget all your worries.

The Aliyar Dam Reservoir Park has well-maintained gardens, a play area with swings for children, an aquarium, a mini-theme park, and beautifully manicured green lawns. The Aliyar Dam is also a popular tourist spot in Coimbatore.

4. Nilgiri Biosphere Nature Park

The Nilgiri Biosphere Nature Park is a wonderful initiative by the Tamil Nadu government to preserve the exotic and rich flora and fauna of the Nilgiri Mountain Range. Established in 1936, the park contains over 430 species of 25,000 trees and plants and many species of reptiles, birds, and mammals. Many exotic flowers can also be spotted in the park. An interesting fact about the Nilgiri Biosphere Nature Park is that nearly 20 percent of the species at this park are endangered in the wild. The park’s massive collection of endangered plant species have also been recognized by the Botanical Garden Conservation International (BGCI) UK and the National Botanical Research Institute (NBRI) in India.

5. Amaravati Sagar Crocodile Farm

A park of a slightly different kind is the Amaravati Sagar Crocodile Farm. This is one of the biggest crocodile nurseries in India and has over 430 crocodiles in captivity. This crocodile park was established in 1975, and since then, there are many adult-sized crocodiles from various exotic species like Marsh, Persian, and Mugger crocodiles. These species are bred in-house to ensure the continued growth of their species.

There are many wild nests of these crocodiles that can be found along the boundary of the reservoir. Eggs of the crocodiles are collected from here to be hatched and are then reared at the park. A trip to this farm, though, needs visitors to follow extra precaution as some of these crocodiles can be dangerous.

6. Nehru Park

Another very popular park in Coimbatore, the Nehru Park, is known for the massive statue of Jawaharlal Nehru in the center. The well-manicured gardens, children’s play area with many swing sets, a jogging track, and separate spaces for meditation and yoga are all part of the park.

7. Indira Gandhi Wildlife Sanctuary and National Park

This park and sanctuary covers nearly 1000 square kilometers of area and is one of the biggest and most well-preserved sanctuaries in all of Tamil Nadu. The park contains over 2000 species of flora, out of which 400 species are famous for their medicinal value. The diversified fauna of his park is unique to this area of Coimbatore only.

The sanctuary also has over 300 exotic species of birds and many rare and endangered species of amphibians and reptiles. The Indira Gandhi Wildlife Sanctuary and National Park attract visitors around the year. The best time to visit this park is between December to April, when the weather is slightly cooler.

These parks in Coimbatore are beautiful places for hanging out after a stressful day of work. The orderly well-manicured gardens with colorful blooming flowers, shady trees, play areas, jogging track, and benches have made these places ideal for beating the summer heat. These have become popular picnic spots and help you escape the monotony of daily life. These natural spaces are buzzing with activity over the weekends and provide a much-needed green area for kids and adults alike.