Khaleej Times

Dh100M green spaces built in Sharjah

- Afkar Abdullah afkarali@khaleejtim­es.com

Determined to keep its environmen­t green and community-friendly, the emirate has built Dh100 million worth of public parks throughout 2018, the Sharjah Public Works (SPW) has said.

A total of 30 residentia­l parks and walkways were constructe­d in different parts of Sharjah, under the directives of His Highness Dr Sheikh Sultan bin Mohammed Al Qasimi, Member of the Supreme Council and Ruler of Sharjah.

The Ruler also ordered the constructi­on of three more parks and an entertainm­ent centre in Muwailih for 2019. Courts for sports activities, playground­s, washrooms and recreation­al areas for families will be set up in these new venues.

Speaking to Khaleej Times, Ali bin Shaheen Al Suwaidi, chairman of the SPW, said these projects were part of a developmen­t plan that would bolster the emirate’s reputation not just as a child-friendly city but one that caters to the needs of everyone.

He said these projects aim to encourage residents to live an active lifestyle by making the most of the parks’ running and cycling tracks and other sports facilities.

Current projects

Al Suwaidi said the SPW is currently working on three parks in Al Nouf 2, 3 and 4 at a cost of Dh15.3 million — and these are not going to be plain-looking parks.

Part of the budget is earmarked for murals, decorative walls and well-designed corridors, as well as a football field, a playground and a store. The fund will also cover the constructi­on of paved corridors, service buildings and irrigation lines.

The massive Al Siyouh Ladies’ Park, spanning 140,000 square metres in Area 4, is also in the works, and the SPW is wrapping up the first phase of the project.

Once completed, this park would significan­tly expand the green spaces in the area. To protect the privacy of women who will be visiting the park, fences were installed at a height of 2.10m and length of 1,550m. A 1,420m running track with a width of three metres also surrounds the park.

Al Siyouh had two other parks, including one that spans 151,000sqm in Area 6. Running tracks, energy-saving lamps, parking spaces and decorative elements were common features of these leisure areas.

“The parks projects in this area came as a response to the public’s needs and after a comprehens­ive study prepared by the SPW,” Al Suwaidi said.

Three parks in Al Qarayen, including one ladies’ park, were also built at a cost of Dh17.5 million, while the first phase of two parks in Al Rahmaniya was completed with a funding of Dh5 million.

Al Jaraiana Ladies Park and Al Houma Park, on the other hand, are about 80 per cent done, and the Martyrs’ Memorial Square will soon be taking shape, according to the SPW.

The parks projects in this area came as a response to the public’s needs and after a comprehens­ive study prepared by the SPW.”

Ali bin Shaheen Al Suwaidi, chairman, SPW

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 ??  ?? Thirty community parks were built in Sharjah in 2018. — Photos by M. Sajjad
Thirty community parks were built in Sharjah in 2018. — Photos by M. Sajjad
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