NEW-LOOK public parks, walkways and gardens in the Muharraq Governorate are on the way under massive revamp plans announced yesterday.
The 45 municipal properties are set to get a facelift from next year following a survey by the Muharraq Municipality to determine those in an appalling, good or excellent conditions.
The survey, which is conducted every four months, focuses on public opinion on rides, furniture, shades, cleanliness and landscaping.
Each of the five categories is graded out of five.
Five properties received the highest grade in all categories: Galali Public Park, Ayn Raya Public Park, Imam Al-Shafi’I Public Park, Hatem Al Tai Public Park and Sayah 229 Public Park.
The lowest-ranked in the survey was Arad Housing Public Park with an average grade of 2.6.
Muharraq Municipality acting director-general and Northern Municipality director-general Lamya Al Fadhala instructed municipal officials to showcase the projects during the Muharraq Municipal Council meeting held yesterday at the Muharraq Municipality headquarters in Busaiteen.
“We take good care of municipal properties and ensure that they are up to the highest standards possible and for that we conduct regular internal and public assessment,” she said.
“There is a precise checklist for everything, be it landscaping, rides, floors, electrical connections, seats and garbage bins, gates and fences, windows, and surveillance cameras, amongst others,” she added.
“We are committed to develop, remodel and carry out maintenance of the facilities inside parks, walkways and gardens to ensure continuation and sustainability.
“Our projects starting next year aim to give municipal properties a new look with us working on adding a protective layer to the rubber-coated floors, installing new shades, constructing new pitches, increasing the height of existing fences and having a green oasis.”
She added that there were plans to have new attractions with work on the new Khalifa Bin Salman Bridge walkway set to start next year.
Meanwhile, council vice-chairman Saleh Buhazaa said intended plans to offer more municipal properties for investors was a good step.
“Plans to offer parks, walkways and gardens to investors and having them fully responsible for facilities will reduce spending from municipal coffers, lessen direct responsibility and maintenance and remodelling costs,” he said.
“Over the past few months, I have seen many requests from investors to open multi-sport pitches for padel, football and handball amongst other popular games.
“Also, there is an influx of other requests to open cafés, cafeterias and sweets and toy shops.”
He explained that encouraging investment doesn’t mean that the council had intentions to back entry fees in all municipal properties.
“Each and every park, walkway or garden will be assessed and if it is of an outstanding status that deserves having an entry charge imposed, we will consider it,” said Mr Buhazaa.
“Otherwise, municipal properties will continue being free, unless it has been taken as a full investment. Even then, there would be spaces that are free of charge or open at certain times, for the public to use.”
Councillors attended the session wearing Palestinian scarves.
mohammed@gdnmedia.bh
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