Residents seeking fresh air, family time and safe walking spaces in the Northern Governorate may soon find their favourite parks better protected, after councillors unanimously backed a sweeping 14-point plan to curb repeated vandalism.
The proposals, approved during the Northern Municipal Council meeting yesterday, has been referred to Municipalities Affairs and Agriculture Minister Wael Al Mubarak for review and implementation.
Councillors say public parks, gardens and walkways across villages and towns have been increasingly subjected to damage of benches, lighting, children’s play equipment, landscaping and public facilities – often leaving families to face broken amenities and unsafe surroundings.
Council chairman Dr Sayed Shubbar Al Wedaie said the move was driven by mounting complaints from residents.
“Parks and walkways are not luxuries – they are essential breathing spaces for families, children, the elderly and sports enthusiasts. When these facilities are vandalised, the whole community loses,” he said. “We cannot keep spending public funds on repairs without addressing the root cause, which is the absence of monitoring, supervision and deterrence.”
He explained that the council’s recommendations focus on prevention, supervision and community partnership rather than just repairs after damage occurs.
Among the key measures proposed are the deployment of Bahraini security guards in parks known to suffer repeated vandalism, with the number of guards determined according to the size of each park or walkway.
Specific attention was called for at Public Park 1205, Walkway 1209, Budaiya Coast Park, Barbar Public Park 526, and Hilat Al Abd Al Saleh Garden 444, which councillors say have been repeatedly targeted.
The plan also calls for installing and repairing surveillance cameras in vulnerable locations including Barbar Public Park, Budaiya Coast and Walkway, Al Khalil Garden, A’ali Grand Garden, Malkiya Coast and Al Hoor Garden.
Dr Al Wedaie said the proposal aims to activate community partnership. “We’re not placing the responsibility on the government alone. Residents must also be part of protecting these facilities by reporting violations. When people see that action is taken, they will be more willing to co-operate,” he added.
Ms Al Durazi
Council’s services and public utilities committee chairwoman Zainab Al Durazi stressed that technology and human presence must go hand-in-hand.
“Cameras without maintenance are useless, and guards without authority are ineffective. We are asking for a clear system where monitoring is continuous and repairs to surveillance equipment are carried out within a defined time frame,” she said. “We want residents to feel that these spaces are protected and respected.”
The councillors also called for the presence of community police patrols, subject to availability, to enhance security and encourage a sense of shared responsibility.
Other recommendations include setting clear opening and closing hours for parks during weekdays and holidays, installing warning and awareness signboards detailing penalties for vandalism, and displaying dedicated complaint hotline numbers for both park maintenance and the Interior Ministry to encourage public reporting.
Ms Al Durazi noted that many families have become hesitant to visit some parks in the evenings due to repeated damage and lack of supervision.
“These are spaces meant for children to play safely and for families to relax. If parents feel uncomfortable bringing their children, then we have failed in our duty to maintain these public assets,” she said.
Councillors hope the ministry will act swiftly on the recommendations, turning all parks and walkways back into safe, welcoming spaces rather than repair sites after repeated acts of vandalism.
mohammed@gdnmedia.bh
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