Five new parks to open in Dubai at a cost of Dh17 million.

DUBAI // The municipality is spending Dh17 million on five new parks as part of Dubai’s aim to become one of the greenest, most family-friendly cities in the world.
Hussain Lootah, director general of Dubai Municipality, said work had already begun on the projects.

“It comes as a complement to the policy of expanding green areas and to distribute them and provide entertainment services in a balanced manner to all areas of the emirate,” Mr Lootah said.

“The contracts have been awarded to contractors and the projects are currently in the preparation stage.”

Taleb Julfar, director of the public parks and horticulture department, said the projects would lift the number of parks and public areas in the emirate to 103.

They include six major reserves, two open beaches, four pond parks, 33 neighbourhood parks and 58 public squares.

“We are serious about moving forward according to the expectations of the world, in line with the directives of our wise leadership,” Mr Lootah said.

Mr Julfar said the emirate’s parks were among the busiest places in the country “in terms of the number of visitors and events organised by various community groups on special occasions such as holidays and celebrations.

“The department is proud of its excellence in providing unique services, ensuring the highest standards of comfort and cleanliness, as well as maintaining the environment.”

A neighbourhood park in the rural area of Lusaili, off the road to Al Ain, will be the first built.

It will cover 1.7 hectares and have family areas, paved walking tracks, a shaded plaza with wooden umbrellas and playgrounds.

It will also hold football pitches, a synthetic jogging track and sports equipment.

The park will also be equipped with solar-powered lights and an extensive irrigation network to feed a variety of plants and trees.

The second park, Satwa Reservoir Park, will be the first neighbourhood park that relies entirely on solar power.

The old park was built around the reservoir tower in Satwa and it will be rebuilt by the municipality.

Saeed Al Janahi, 24, and his family have lived near the Satwa reservoir tower for 15 years now.

“It is about time they renovate this park,” said Mr Al Janahi, an Emirati.

“This park has for the longest time just been a decorative area. No one was really using it.

“It was very dead, had no attraction, no entertainment … people preferred to just use the garden at home. At least this way all the neighbourhood children have somewhere nearby to play safely.

“Solar power will attract people, I think, and hopefully teach them about conservation. If anything it will be a nice place to spend your afternoon.”

The park will cover 1.5 hectares with all the features of the Lusaili reserve, and work will include maintenance on the tank tower.

The 1.3-hectare Mankhool Park will be for families, children and young people in an area that lacks a recreational centre.

Al Muhaisnah 3, near the airport, will have a 1-hectare park, and Al Warqaa 4’s first reserve will cover 0.6 hectares.