A call has been made to direct municipal spending towards renovating, remodelling and repairing existing public parks, walkways and gardens rather than constructing new ones.
Capital Trustees Board chairman Saleh Tarradah is urging the Municipalities Affairs and Agriculture Ministry to prioritise the maintenance of current facilities over expansion projects.
This comes as the national state budget for 2025-2026 includes plans to construct 46 new public parks and gardens, revamp six coastal areas, develop four central markets and execute five mega projects in partnership with the private sector.
While these initiatives aim to enhance public spaces, Mr Tarradah warns that ignoring the maintenance needs of existing parks could lead to worsening conditions and unnecessary financial burdens in the long run.
Speaking at the Capital Trustees Board’s weekly majlis at its headquarters in Bilad Al Qadeem in the presence of minister Wael Al Mubarak, Mr Tarradah expressed concerns over the current state of Bahrain’s public parks and recreational spaces.
“Imagine spending at least BD200,000 to build a new park when existing parks are neglected,” he said.
“Some have reached a state where maintenance is so expensive that they are in a derelict condition beyond repair.”
Mr Tarradah stressed that the deterioration of parks not only leads to increased costs for potential future repairs, but also diminishes the quality of life for residents who rely on these spaces for leisure, exercise and community activities.
“Parks and walkways are essential for a healthy and active lifestyle,” he said.
“If they are not maintained properly, they lose their purpose and become abandoned spaces instead of vibrant community hubs.
“One of the biggest challenges facing public park maintenance is the strain on municipal budgets, which often prioritise new developments over upkeep.
“While new parks add to the city’s landscape, existing parks require continuous care to ensure safety, cleanliness and functionality.”
Mr Tarradah said there were many parks with broken benches, malfunctioning lighting, damaged playgrounds and overgrown greenery.
“These issues need immediate attention, yet resources are often funnelled into constructing new parks instead of fixing what we already have,” Mr Tarradah explained.
He also pointed out that some parks have fallen into such disrepair that the cost of restoring them is almost equivalent to building a new one.
“This is the result of years of neglect.
“If maintenance was done periodically, we wouldn’t reach a point where a full-scale overhaul is required,” he said.
Mr Tarradah is advocating for a sustainable, long-term approach to municipal spending.
Instead of focusing solely on expansion, he believes that public funds should be allocated to preserving and enhancing existing infrastructure.
“If we invest in proper maintenance today, we save millions in the future.
“We must strike a balance between developing new spaces and ensuring the longevity of our current ones,” he said.
Additionally, he suggested that public-private partnerships could be leveraged to help maintain public parks.
“Many businesses and organisations are willing to contribute to the upkeep of public spaces.
Encouraging corporate sponsorships and partnerships could ease the financial burden on municipalities while ensuring high-quality maintenance,” he noted.
Another critical aspect of maintaining public parks is involving local communities in the decision-making process.
Mr Tarradah stressed the importance of gathering public feedback to determine which parks and walkways require immediate attention.
“Residents use these parks daily. They know the problems better than anyone. We should actively seek their input and address their concerns before investing in new projects,” he said.
“Community-driven initiatives, such as volunteer clean-up events and neighbourhood watch programmes, could also play a role in keeping parks well-maintained.”
He added that a well-maintained park can serve generations.
“We must ensure that our current parks receive the care they need so that they continue to provide value to our communities for years to come,” said Mr Tarradah.
mohammed@gdnmedia.bh
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