Today's Edition
Ihab Al-Rifai (Al Dhafra)
Al Dhafra Region Municipality is implementing a sweeping plan to increase the region’s urban green spaces, recreational facilities, and neighbourhood parks, and to maintain public parks in various cities across Al Dhafra.
Under the plan, 41 new parks were built, bringing the total number of parks in the region to 79, including public parks, parks for women and children, residential neighbourhood parks, botanical gardens, a water park, and others.
Al Dhafra’s new outdoor spaces, including those already built, and those scheduled for construction, cover more than 2 million square metres (sqm), which include 54 playgrounds, 25 food truck stops, 23 barbecue areas, and 30 multi-use playgrounds with football pitches and volleyball courts, 15 running tracks, 46 walkways, 36 fitness areas, and 11 bicycle paths. An additional 39 parks will also be constructed under the plan.
Al Dhafra Municipality is keen to create a better living environment for residents by providing more green spaces, and by developing public parks, neighbourhood parks, beaches, and parks, in line with sustainable development standards.
Al Dhafra Region Municipality received six international awards for its public parks, including the International Green Apple Environment Award, which is considered among the most prominent international recognitions for environmental practices.
Al Dhafra Region Municipality also participated in a recycling project, for which it won eight Green Flags in the Green Flag Award in the Recreational and Open Space Management category. The project also won the Abu Dhabi Government Best Practices Award.
In its work to continue developing and restoring parks, the Municipality is currently working on 6,000 sqm of a park in Madinat Zayed. The development work includes adding a 350-metre walking path around the park, installing lighting poles and a sand volleyball court, installing an irrigation network, in addition to growing plants, flowers, and fruit-bearing trees. The park was also equipped with a playground that includes colourful drawings for children, an external fence was installed, and there are three gates facilitate the entry and exit of visitors to the park.
Development and restoration works are ongoing in Mahdhar Shah Park in the city of Liwa, which covers an area of 10,000 sqm. The development work includes adding a 330-meter-long walking path inside the park, installing lighting poles, an irrigation network, and growing plants, flowers, and fruit trees. The park includes a fitness area and a 400-sqm children’s playground with rubber flooring. The park is also equipped with several family seating areas shaded by umbrellas.
All efforts are part of the Municipality’s work towards environmental sustainability by expanding the area’s green spaces and increasing the amount of trees and local plants.
