Satwa Park opened

The General Projects Department of the Municipality constructed the park at a total area of 2.54 hectares in two years time with a cost of Dhs8.556 million.

Located behind Al Moosa towers on Sheikh Zayed Road, the park comprises of many features including green patches, shaded areas, resting places, children's playgrounds, sliding areas, walkways, and playgrounds for adults with proper courts and fields for soccer, basketball, volleyball and tennis. Special attractions at the Satwa Park include rubberised jogging track and facilities for special needs children.

In view of the existence of big number of schools in the area, the educational aspect was also taken into consideration while constructing the park as the facilities include a Sun Clock and an open shaded area, said Lootah.

He said the park is expected to become the most preferred destination for school excursions in the future. "It offers an advanced variety of games facilities suitable for all age groups. We have also given due care to provide facilities for the special needs people by choosing games suitable for them that are easy for use," said Lootah.

The central piazza of the park, with a fountain surrounded by shaded seats, is half-way through the main walkway, adorned by palm trees on its sides.

"In view of the big demand from the residents of the Sheikh Zayed Road and Satwa area, a jogging track has been built surrounding the outer wall of the park, which can be used for both walking and jogging any time. This six-metre wide walkway, which is a bit higher than the park's floor-level, will enable visitors to see all activities inside the park from anywhere within the facility," he said.

Lootah said entry is free to the park, which will be open from 8 am to 11 pm every day. He said the park has been built keeping in mind the requirements of children and women.

"Satwa is one of the 20 parks we are planning to open this year for providing excellent recreational facilities for residents to enjoy and relax," said Lootah.

As part of the Plantation Week the civic body distributed nearly 5,000 saplings to residents coinciding the opening of the park in order to encourage residents to grow plants in the open spaces inside their homes and villas.

Other activities part of the Plantation Week included Future Parks Exhibition and the Prizes Exhibition, where the awards and prizes won by the Public Parks and Horticulture Department will be on display. The employees who contributed to the successful completion of the Satwa Park project will also be honoured during the week.