Abu Dhabi, Aug. 2, 2004 (WAM)-- The Corniche Park, the largestrecreational facility in the capital, is nearing completion. Accordingto city planners, the park, which has many recreational features, willfurther boost the city's attraction as a world-class tourist destination.

Part of the Dh200 million New Corniche Road East project, thepark depicts a contemporary Arabic architectural character and will bea natural extension of the island. Work on the project began in December2001 and is scheduled to open to public shortly, an official of Abu DhabiMunicipality, which undertakes the project, told Khaleej Times yesterday.

He said the Corniche Park would respond to the social and physical needsof a growing, modern city, while expressing and celebrating the cultureand vitality of Abu Dhabi.

The park will represent local culture in two ways. Firstly, itsarchitectural features will reflect Arabic and Islamic tradition. Secondly,by its very existence, the park will be testimony to the dedication andgenerosity of Abu Dhabi's leaders to the capital's citizenry and theirquality of life, the officials said.

Journeying the length of the park will take a visitor througha sequence of experiences designed to stimulate the body, the mind, andthe imagination.

Incorporated into the park are approximately 50 water features,including fountains, waterfalls, and ornamental flag. A freshwater, man-madelake, approximately 10,000 square metres in size, will be a prominentfeature of the park and, with integrated fountains and lights, one ofits most popular attractions. Around 20 new buildings will be constructedas part of the development. These include kiosks, cafes, toilets, andother amenities. Two new mosques are also planned.

In the Heritage Zone, a traditionally styled mosque will accommodateup to 120 worshippers. A large mosque, accommodating up to 650 peoplewill be constructed near the Shalala Fountain. An amphitheater, courtyards,pavilions, festival and exhibition spaces, and picnic areas will alsobe part of the park.

An optional part feature would be to replace the existing towerclock tower with a new, larger structure, surrounded by a formal plaza,and located in the same general areas. The new structure, which may beas tall as 70 metres, would have the form of a traditional wind toweror another classical form and incorporate an information centre, cafes,viewing platforms, and retail facilities.

The seaside Corniche promenade, 16 metres wide and in some areassplit level, will extend the entire length of the project. A four-metrecycling path will run parallel to the promenade.

On the city side of the New Corniche Road East, where the bulkof the park will be, a four-metre-wide walkway will run adjacent to landscapedareas. Several kilometres of paved walkways will run through the landscapedareas themselves, winding from one attraction to another.

Eleven conveniently located pedestrian underpasses will link theseaside promenade with the city of the park and also link the differentareas of the park under crossroads, eliminating the risks of persons crossingthe roads.

The entire six-kilometre length of the park will be landscapedand planted with mature trees and shrubs, and an extensive automatic irrigationsystem will be installed. Several decorative lighting systems will highlightthe park's different attractions at night.

The parks and recreation areas included in the New Corniche RoadEast will be unrivalled as public recreation areas, the officials said.

According to them, green space will be dramatically increased, and thepark, which provides attractions for all ages, will enhance the city'squality of life by providing a natural gathering point for residents tosocialise, relax and enjoy themselves.

The Corniche will enhance Abu Dhabi's reputation as a model cityand further boost its attraction as a world-class tourist destination,the officials noted.