MUDHI ALOBTHANI (ABU DHABI)

Summer heat is no excuse for Abu Dhabi residents to put their fitness goals or outdoor routines on hold, with the emirate's cooled facilities keeping daily runs and walks comfortable despite rising temperatures.

The redeveloped Khalidiya Park has become a go-to spot for many, largely thanks to its 660-metre air-conditioned walkway. The park's new facilities opened in March, but it is this season that more residents have come to make the most of them.

Fifty-year-old expat Suresh Babu Panicker has been walking regularly, regardless of season, for about 20 years now. With the new walkway, he has felt an immediate difference in the summer leg of his daily strolls.

"The cooling system makes life much easier during the summer," Panicker told Aletihad.

He believes his walks, sustained over the years, have paid off. "I don't have health issues — no cholesterol and no blood pressure issues. Walking every day has helped me stay healthy."

Another Abu Dhabi resident, Cedra Lutf, discovered the facility recently after struggling to hit her step-count target on a hot  summer day.

"I then started looking for indoor walking options other than a mall, but then my mom told me about this place," Lutf said. Spending time at Khalidiya Park allowed her to achieve her daily goal of 10,000 steps while still enjoying the outdoors.

She added that, given the choice, she would always prefer exercising in open air. "It is much better," Lutf said. "You get bored indoors; being outside feels more enjoyable. With the cooling system, I would choose to exercise outdoors."

The park is also proving popular with families seeking outdoor recreation during the school break.

Khulood Al Ahmed, who visited the cooled walkway for the first time with her child on a relative's recommendation, said the experience exceeded her expectations.

"My son and I really enjoyed it," she said. "Those who want to walk in a cool environment can do that, and those who want to exercise can also enjoy the space."

Al Ahmed said this community space suits her family's lifestyle perfectly. "I always enjoy walking, and my children love playing outside," she said. "I prefer taking them to natural places rather than shopping malls. This is exactly the kind of place we were looking for."

The facility, she added, makes the summer weather feel "pleasant and moderate".

"Even while exercising, it doesn't feel uncomfortable. The children enjoyed themselves and weren't affected by the heat at all."

The Khalidiya walkway is not Abu Dhabi's first step toward making open-air experiences comfortable year-round. The emirate's first climate-controlled outdoor pathway, located in Al Nahyan, has been serving the community for nearly two years now.

Elsewhere, revitalised urban spaces feature canopies designed to improve the Universal Thermal Comfort Index (UTCI) from May to October by maximising shade during the morning and afternoon sun. Misting systems, 'green walls', lightweight concrete paving slabs, and native plants and trees also help in cooling the surrounding area.