SHAKHOORA Park will soon become accessible to disabled people and the elderly, as part of a plan currently underway to renovate the 4,880 square metre public park.
The planned developments include the addition of new and varied exercise equipment, a canopy to add shade to the children’s play area and extra security cameras, and the planting of more trees.
Solar-powered street lamps are also to be installed, flooring in the sports field will be replaced, and there will be a re-development of the park’s entrances, exits and public restrooms.
The park’s renovation plans were reviewed during a field visit by Municipalities Affairs and Agriculture Ministry Under-Secretary Shaikh Mohammed bin Ahmed Al Khalifa yesterday.
“The ministry plans to develop public parks to cater to everyone’s needs, including disabled people and the elderly,” he said, speaking about other projects in the area.
“Shakhoora Park’s premises will be updated to meet accessibility requirements, so the disabled and elderly can move freely and easily in the premises.”
Shaikh Mohammed also presented a plan to plant more trees along streets and in public spaces in the Northern Governorate’s Constituency Five, as part of a plan by the National Initiative for Agricultural Development.
The fifth constituency covers Qadam, Al Hajar, Abu Saiba, Shakhoora, Saar, south Janabiya and Maqaba.
The field visit included area MP Maryam Al Sayegh, Northern Municipal Council chairman Dr Sayed Shubbar Al Wedaie, councillor Tareq Al Farsani and Northern Municipality director-general Lamia Al Fadhala.
Ms Al Sayegh pointed out the importance of the park’s development, and similar moves to improve accessibility and
expand facilities.
“These projects serve residential neighbourhoods and allow them to access services easily since they are located close to them,” she stated.
“They also give the people of the area, and especially children, spaces in which they can safely exercise and play sports.”
These improvements and renovations are part of the ministry’s third phase of developing roads, sanitation and municipalities.
Among the third package’s plans are the rehabilitation, re-beautification and maintenance of public parks all over the country and in all four governorates.
In March, the ministry announced the construction of a new park in Qarya, which will be 3,333sqm in size and is set to include a 1km walk track, shaded sitting areas, green spaces and 725sqm of greenery.
The Qarya park will also include 310sqm of children’s play zones, parking spaces and more. A tender has been opened to determine a contractor to construct the park.
The GDN earlier reported that the Northern Municipal Council has unanimously approved a proposal to instal green energy-compatible rides in all parks.
If approved by the Municipalities Affairs and Agriculture Minister, the ambitious plan could allow parks to be completely powered by renewable energy.
Council vice-chairwoman Zaina Jassim, who proposed the plan, stated that wind and solar energy could power slides, swings and carousels, and allow visitors to charge their electronic devices.
These new systems will help children understand how solar energy is converted into usable power and teach them about preserving the environment, she added.
zainab@gdnmedia.bh
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