Big picture: Dubai built 70 new parks, playgrounds this year

Dubai had built 70 new parks and playgrounds across the city's neighbourhoods this year, bringing the total to 185, the municipality said on Sunday, August 16.

Parks and playgrounds in the emirate are more than just green public spaces for the community. For the Dubai Municipality, building them is part of the vision to create a happy, sustainable city.

Dawoud Al Hajri, director-general of the Dubai Municipality, said: "We are inspired by our leadership's keenness to ensure the happiness and welfare of all segments of society. Developing parks and playgrounds in residential neighborhoods is part of the municipality's ... mission to plan, develop and manage an exceptional city that represents the essence of sustainable living."

Despite Covid-triggered restrictions hampering work for some months, the municipality managed to complete park and playground constructions.

Since it was established, the Dubai Municipality has built five major parks in various areas of the emirate, including Mamzar Beach Park, Creek Park, Mushrif Park, Zabeel Park and Safa Park, in addition to five pond parks in Al Barsha, Al Quoz, Al Nahda, Al Qusais and Al Khawaneej.

"By building parks and playgrounds, we also seek to provide meeting places for children and residents of the neighbourhood," Al Hajri said.

Tailored concepts

No two parks in Dubai are exactly the same as each one is tailored to the needs of the residents in the neighbourhood.

"We maintain a strong feedback loop with the community and welcome the recommendations of neighbourhood residents," Al Hajri explained.

They also study the needs of senior citizens, people of determination, children and other members of the community before designing these recreational spaces. The efficient management of parks is driven by a set of lifestyle, environmental, sports, health and social goals.

Parks in residential areas, which provide services for free, are smaller than the main ones. However, they provide a wide range of leisure facilities.

Each park is divided into two broad areas: One is for young people, who enjoy facilities for sports such as tennis, basketball, football, volleyball and jogging, and the second is for women and families, who need spaces where kids can play, in addition to green patches and other services.

Parks for all

In designing parks, the Dubai Municipality spares no effort in making sure that these areas can be enjoyed by senior citizens and people of determinaton.

Pathways are well thought out to so that they could move around freely and easily, even if they to use wheelchairs. Even exercise equipment are carefully chosen to suit their needs. Facilities for children and people of determination feature prominently in these parks.

In coordination with the Roads and Transport Authority, the municipality also ensures there is adequate, accessible parking for all. Tracks and entrances are created according to the highest safety standards and illuminated signs facilitate hassle-free parking.