Dubai unveils plan to develop city's largest public park

Dubai Holding, the global investment holding company, has signed an agreement with Dubai Municipality to develop the largest public park in the emirate.

Stretching across an area of 1,430,000 sq m in Dubailand, the park will act as a “new destination for residents and tourists and provide a vibrant, natural environment, encouraging individuals to lead a healthy and active lifestyle”, a statement said.

It added that when completed, this park will increase public space in Dubai by 17 percent.

The park will also include 30km of pedestrian pathways, 20km of jogging tracks, over 14km of cycle tracks and over 7km of nature trails. It will also feature 55 playgrounds for children, 45 sports grounds, five major events spaces, and retail space for shops, restaurants and coffee shops.

The park will have smart cards for ticketing and purchasing and Wi-fi connectivity throughout.

The construction of the first phase of the park, covering 318,000 sq m, is scheduled to start later this year, and will offer a 4km jogging track, 7km of pedestrian pathways and a 2km cycling track.

The public garden will also include 10 sports grounds and one major events space.

Hussain Lootah, director general of Dubai Municipality, said: “The project will establish the largest public park in Dubai, and will meet the highest levels of sustainability while raising environmental awareness among its visitors.”

Ahmad Bin Byat, vice chairman and managing director, Dubai Holding, added:“In addition to enhancing the natural landscape and attracting tourists, every major city, including New York, London and Singapore, has an iconic park that reflects its cultural and social identity.

“The provision of green, open spaces play a pivotal role in elevating the quality of life among residents, creating a desire to explore new pursuits and enjoy favourite pastimes.

“The development of this park, in partnership with Dubai Municipality, aims to highlight Dubai’s remarkable landscapes and position it among the most prominent global cities.”