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Coonoor, nestled in the Nilgiri Hills in Tamil Nadu, is a hill station blessed with outstanding views, and lush green surroundings. If your ideal vacation comprises endless walks, beautiful sunsets, and tranquil settings, then Coonoor is the right place for you. Coonoor is blessed with many attractions but one attraction that stands out is Sim’s Park. Sim’s Park, Coonoor, is a fascinating treasure trove of some of the most unique and exquisite plant species in the world. The entire park lies dotted with plants and trees of varied species and is truly a treat to the eyes.
Sim’s Park, Coonoor is famous for housing more than a thousand species of trees, plants, and flowers. It is situated on the northern side of the Coonoor railway station and is easily accessible by road. The park covers an area of 12 hectares and is divided into different sections based on the plants and trees it houses. One particular section that has the Shola trees and beautiful, cobbled footpaths is breathtakingly beautiful. This place looks straight out of an artist’s canvas.
If you have not visited Sim’s Park already, you should visit it before this year ends. Winters are beautiful there and would make every moment of your trip worthwhile.
Sim’s Park is a one-of-a-kind park-cum-botanical garden in the country. It is carpeted with colorful flowers, sparkling green lawns, and rockeries, that make for a bewitching sight. The abundance of different kinds of plant species here has been enthralling botanists and nature lovers from all over the world. In addition to that, the park also houses rare species of trees of medicinal importance. Annual Fruit and vegetable show also takes place here in May that attracts nature lovers from far and wide.
Mr. JD Simms and Major Murray established this unusual park in the year 1874. It has naturally occurring plants, shrubs, and creepers besides the many species that have been brought into the confines of this park from different corners of the world.
Sim’s Park is a natural garden. As you enter the park, it will welcome you with enchanting flower-beds, manicured lawns, and amazing rocks. The garden features some rare trees such as Rudraksha- bead tree, Cinnamomum, Queensland Karry Pine, a handsome ornamental tree and graceful trees like Araucaria, Quercus, Phoenix, Magnolia, Pine, Turpentine, Tree ferns, and Camellia among others. Some of these trees such as the Rudraksha tree are of religious significance. This garden also houses an attractive glass house that exhibits different ornamental plants and flowers. Walk towards the other side of the park, and you will see a fascinating rose-garden adorned with different varieties of roses.
The park is situated at the slope of a hill, and there is a small lake at its base, making it one of the most peaceful and visually appealing picnic spots in the city. If you wish, you can also go boating in the lake. There is a children’s park near the lake. So if you are traveling with your children, this garden will be a double adventure for them.
The Nilgiris are blessed with a unique tropical mountain climate, which gives the garden ideal climatic conditions for growing trees and flowers. Situated at an altitude of 1780m, this beautiful park houses over 1000 species of 255 genera which belong to 85 different families. The main attraction here is the area with naturally occurring shola forests and cobbled, winding footpaths, that grant this park an old-world rustic charm. This spot is so scenic and picturesque that you will find a lot of people trying to capture it in their photographs. But no picture can do justice to this place. You need to visit it to experience its beauty to the fullest. Once inside the garden, your eyes will be treated to amazingly well-kept lawns, blankets of ornamental flowers, terraces with flower beds, and beautifully carved rockeries. This park is no less than a visual delight.
Sim’s Park is not just visually appealing but also one of the best places in Coonoor to indulge in some nature activities. The picturesque settings of this park make it an ideal place to click some splendid pictures that you will cherish your entire life. You can also spend some moments of solitude here, unperturbed by the noisy din of the monotonous city life, or take a long solitary walk immersed in your thoughts. If you are with your beloved, this is a great place to indulge in some light-headed romantic banter. You can also go boating in the tranquil lake. The garden is divided into four parts- the Rose Garden, a small lily pond, flowering plants’ area, and a boating area. Each of these parts has its charm. Children, especially, love the boating area, because it has a small children’s park next to it. This place attracts many botanists and nature lovers from all around the world who come here to study and research different kinds of floras. It is also a great place to spend some quality time with your family. Just bring your picnic basket along.
The Fruits and Vegetables show is an annual event that is conducted in the Sim’s Park in May. It is spread over two days. It is organized by the Department of Horticulture. It is an annual gala, and Sim’s Park has been holding it successfully for the past 53 years now. Exhibitors from all over the country come here to showcase the various fruits and vegetables of their states. This event also showcases different cultural performances from various states especially curated to entertain the visitors of the show. This show is quite popular and witnesses a footfall of more than 25000 people every year. Its popularity is increasing with each passing year.
For adults, the entrance fee ₹30, while kids up to 12 years of age pay an entry fee of ₹15. You can take your camera inside for a cost of ₹50, while if you want to shoot a video, you will have to shell out ₹100 for that. It is open from 9 in the morning to 6 in the evening, on all the days of the week. Usually, people spend more than a couple of hours here because it is so vast and there is so much to see. So, whenever you plan to visit the park, make sure you have some time on your hands.
The best time to visit this park is from October to February. The weather is pleasant, and the skies are clear, so you can enjoy the beauty of this place to the fullest. However, in case you wish to enjoy the annual Fruits and Vegetables show, you should plan your trip in May.
The Sim’s Park is situated in the Cantonment area in Coonoor and is well-connected by road. You can take a bus from Coonoor or from Black Bridge (on Ooty main road) that would drop you directly in front of the park.
Sim’s Park is an ideal place to spend a pleasant afternoon with your loved ones. Let the bounties of nature’s hidden secrets fascinate you! A visit to the Sim’s Park is both pleasant and enriching at the same time. You get to relax and rejuvenate in the vicinity of nature and learn about the various trees and plants at the same time. It is an unforgettable experience!
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April 15, 2024 
