Two Parks Set to Open in Dubai

Two of these, the pond park in Al Nahda and the one in the neighbouring Garhoud 2 area will be open to public on Wednesday, director of Horticulture and Public Parks Department, Ahmed Abdul Kareem told Khaleej Times.

“The Al Nahda Pond Park is an outstanding project,” said Abdul Kareem.

“For the first time, we are offering a variety of outdoor fitness equipment in the park. There are eight or nine workout machines including treadmills and hydraulic fitness equipment. This park is almost the size of Jumeirah Beach Park. Entry to the park is free and people can make use of all these fitness facilities free of charge.”

The authorities had earlier said the workout machines in public parks were aimed at encouraging an active lifestyle among the residents, a large number of whom suffer from obesity, diabetes and hypertension due to sedentary lifestyle and poor dietary habits.

Abdul Kareem said the municipality hoped to help people increase the level of physical activities through the workout facilities offered in parks.

“We want people to make good and proper use of the facilities. The government is spending millions of dirhams to offer all these services. So, for their own benefit, people should use them appropriately.”

He said the pond in the centre of Al Nahda Park will be a major attraction. “It has fountains and we are planning to start water rides for families and kids within six months.”

The park also boasts of a 1.35km professional jogging track, a 1.4km cycling track and different grounds for various sports and games.

A soccer ground, courts for handball, basketball and volleyball and various play-areas for children are also provided.

Barbecue areas, a spacious cafeteria and a minimart will cater to the refreshment purposes of visitors.

Abdul Kareem said the new neighbourhood park in Garhoud would serve a lot of residents in the area. “It is designed to serve the recreational needs of the people living in the area. It has all the features of a residential park.”

He said the opening days of the other completed parks would be announced later.

These are the residential parks in Al Qusais-2, and Abu Hail (Hor Al Anz), the Hill Park in Hatta and the pond parks in Al Quoz-2 and Al Qusais-3.

Director General of Dubai Municipality, Hussain Nasser Lootah said, Dubai was experiencing a rapid pace in urban development, calling for an urgent need for the Municipality’s commitment to provide open areas and recreational facilities that meet the needs of the population.

He said the completion of seven parks in the emirate was in line with the Municipality’s policy of preserving the environment. “It is also within the Municipality’s efforts aimed at achieving the planning standards in Dubai, which require working for making eight per cent of the area of the city green,” 
said Lootah.

sajila@khaleejtimes.ae