Parks can waive the admission fees but not their responsibilities, says a signed article in the Shanghai-based Youth Daily. An excerpt follows:

The municipal government of Beijing carried out a new plan in the interests of the public. Twelve large parks near residents' communities, including Zizhuyuan Park and Tuanjiehu Park, will offer free admission. So far, 123 parks in the city, accounting for 72.78 percent of the total, offer free admission.

It is a general trend for parks to open for free but this also creates problems. For example, free parks attract more visitors and therefore more damage to public facilities and the landscape. Accidents and injuries of children happen now and then. But many say the parks should not be responsible for such accidents because they are open for free.

Just because the parks are open for free, does not mean responsibilities can be waived.

City parks are public welfare infrastructure. They shoulder the functions of culture, education and entertainment. It is a responsibility of modern government to provide free public products and services, such as parks. In the same way as user-pay services, free public services should be quality ones.

In this sense, park authorities should enhance daily management and provide satisfying public leisure facilities. The services should not be weakened on the excuse that the admission fees are waived. Instead more should be done after the parks are open for free. For example, more warning signs should be set up in places where accidents usually happen and security personnel should take more inspection tours.

The parks' responsibilities cannot be waived according to law. According to the General Principles of the Civil Law and the Law on the Protection of the Rights and Interests of Consumers, public services provided by the government should not be flawed. If accidents that happen in the parks are associated with the flaws or faults of park management, the parks are responsible.

(China Daily September 11, 2006)