DUBAI, 27 Dec, 05 (WAM) - Sheikh Hamdan bin Rashid Al Maktoum,Deputy Ruler of Dubai, UAE Minister of Finance and Industry,and Chairman of Dubai Municipality, opened on Tuesday, ZabeelPark, the first technology-based recreational theme park in theGulf.

The park, located on three separate plots to the north east ofthe Dubai World Trade Centre and bounded by Trade Centre Road,Al Quta'eyat Road and Za'abeel Road, is aimed at boosting domesticand international tourism in Dubai.

The opening ceremony was attended by Qassim Sultan, DirectorGeneral of Dubai Municipality, senior government officials fromlocal departments and the municipality.

The park is divided into three plots, all of which are interlinkedby pedestrian bridges.

Sultan said the Dh200 million park comprises a number of provisionsincluding food courts, a cricket pitch, amphitheatre, exhibitioncentres and special facilities for boating.

"Zabeel Park will become a major tourist attraction in Dubai.

The park has something to offer each visitor," he said.

With an overall area of 47.5 hectares the park has been designedwith a technology theme that reflects the current status of Dubaias a regional centre for the development of high technology andIT industries. Zabeel Park will provide a themed recreation andleisure facility of international standard, for the enjoymentof both local residents and visitors.

To reflect and maximise the technology theme, the park featuresa series of high tech interactive displays including educationaland recreational exhibits grouped into three zones (AlternativeEnergy zone, Communications zone and Techno zone) as well asa maze modelled on the planetary system and other technologybased attractions. In combination with these elements, the parkfeatures a contemporary and futuristic style that provides thepark with an individual, vibrant and unique character, unseenbefore in other parks of Dubai.

The infrastructure of the park is functional and visually appealingin its own right, and incorporates a wide range of facilitiessuch as a boating lake and lakeside restaurant, a sports centre,and exhibition gallery, an activity area including mini golf,adventure play, a skateboard park and a BMX track, informal recreationareas, barbeque facilities, shaded seating and play areas andrefreshment kiosks.

There are plenty of play areas for children, while adults canspend their time sitting at the lakeside restaurants and enjoyingthe scenic beauty of the park.

The park has been divided into three zones of 281,000 squaremetres, 162,000 square metres and 22,000 square metres.

The main attraction of the park is a mega bowl, which will beused for organising multi-purpose activities including weddings,parties, birthday functions and other events associated withcollege and business establishments.

Apart from functions, the mega bowl can be used for conductingexhibitions and shows from time to time.

The park also has three sister city monuments in the form ofGeneva, Gold Coast and Istanbul. The city monuments were incorporatedin the park as part of sister city agreements between Dubai Municipalityand the cities of Geneva, Istanbul and Gold Coast. In the nextphase, there will be monuments for the other nine cities withwhich Dubai has signed sister cities agreements.

The 200 square meter Exhibition Gallery, situated on the mainpiazza opposite the restaurant, will provide a flexible internalexhibition space which can be used for a variety of exhibitions,by local school and community groups, private companies and byDubai Municipality.

The ornamental boating lake is the centralfeatureof the southern part of the park and will be filled from a streamcascading down a series of natural rock weirs from a height of4.0m. A mix of pedal, rowing and battery powered motor boatswill be available for hire. An island is incorporated into thedesign of the lake with a pathway access over two bridges toa lakeside viewing gazebo. A "geyser" fountain will be a centralfeature within the lake which will erupt to a height of 20 metresonce every twenty minutes.

There are two main restaurants located in the Park.

Other features of the park include three refreshment kiosks,Piazza Cafe, health and fitness centre (a private sector venture,which will be completed by December 2007), Star Gate edutainmentcentre (another private venture to be completed by next year),Space Maze (modelled on the planetary system), barbeque areas,prayer areas for gents and ladies, boating lake, food court andAssault Course.

All three zones of the park are connected by a road train, whichtransports visitors from one zone to the other.