*New park opened in Onaiza area of West Bay
The Supervisory Committee of Beautification of Roads & Public Places in Qatar on Saturday announced the launch of the 'Qatar Beautification and Our Kids Planting Trees' campaign and the opening of Al Abraj Park in West Bay in conjunction with the start of the planting season.
The campaign aims to raise awareness about the importance of planting trees, instill environmental values in school students across different educational stages and emphasise that the preservation of environment is everyone’s duty, Public Works Authority (Ashghal) president Dr Saad bin Ahmed al-Mohannadi stressed.
In a statement, Ashghal said it is progressing with the implementation of the first phase of the Supervisory Committee of Beautification of Roads & Public Places in Qatar projects. This comprises the design and execution of a number of projects that include constructing pedestrian and cycle paths, construction and maintenance of green areas and planting trees, development of vital areas and adding artworks throughout the country.
Such works are carried out under the umbrella of the Ministry of Municipality and Environment (MME) and in co-ordination with several ministries and governmental entities in the country, including the Ministry of Transport and Communications, Ministry of Culture and Sports, Qatar Museums, Qatar Rail, Private Engineering Office and others.
Al Abraj Park is one of the many initiatives undertaken to provide parks and green spaces. Its opening was attended by Dr al-Mohannadi, Mohamed Arqoub al-Khalidi, chairman of the Supervisory Committee of Beautification of Roads & Public Places in Qatar, Jamal Matar al-Nuaimi, director of Doha Municipality, Mohamed Ali al-Khouri, director of the Public Parks Department at the MME, Jassem bin Najem Ali al-Khulaifi, member of the Central Municipal Council - 1st constituency, Faisal Youssef Bahzad, deputy manager of Ahmed Mansour Primary School for Boys and Amna al-Badr, secretary of the committee.
Dr al-Mohannadi said many development works will be carried out in line with the vision of His Highness the Amir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad bin Khalifa al-Thani to preserve the environment for future generations and increase green areas, and in accordance with the directives of HE the Prime Minister and Minister of Interior Sheikh Abdullah bin Nasser bin Khalifa al-Thani to form the supervisory committee. The main tasks include building an integrated and safe network of pedestrian and cycle paths, planting trees, increasing green spaces, the beautification of Doha and developing the Corniche.
He noted that some other areas will be converted to green areas, such as power stations. This is in addition to the implementation of an initiative aimed at involving Qatari artists and allocating a place for them within the city of Doha to display their work, in co-operation with the Qatar Museums, the Ministry of Culture and Sports and the MME.
The Ashghal president participated in the planting of 25 trees with 30 students from Ahmed Mansour Elementary Boys School, in co-operation with the Ministry of Education and Higher Education. Coordination is under way with many other entities in the country to participate in the campaign.
Al-Khalidi said one of the most important objectives of the committee is to rehabilitate many areas to become environment-, pedestrian- and cyclist-friendly in line with Qatar National Vision 2030, thus contributing to the creation of a vibrant and healthy culture that supports the use of bicycles and walking to workplaces, shopping and entertainment areas as well as to contributing to the development of a healthier lifestyle and encouraging exercise.
The opening of Al Abraj Park marks "a new step towards achieving the objectives of the committee", according to Ashghal. The park is located in the Onaiza area, which includes many administrative and government buildings as well as commercial establishments on Majlis Al Taawon Street. This will provide the area's visitors, especially employees and business owners, with a breathing space to take a break in a healthy green area away from the busy daily schedule and closed offices.
The park is easily accessible as it is located among the towers, and this will encourage people working in or visiting the area to pass through it during the day, without the need to use the car.
Al-Khalidi added that work is under way in co-ordination with many other entities and stakeholders to reduce obstacles and potential problems, and to ensure that the projects are being implemented according to the planned schedule.
The design of Al Abraj Park is in the form of a dewdrop and features streamlined details, while the centre of the park has a distinctive design to include a seating area. The rest of the park includes features such as pedestrian and cycling paths.
The park offers a variety of activities and facilities, including a green central events area, an exercise area and a walking track made of recycled rubber and local materials. It also includes a cafeteria building, toilets, tree-shaded seats and wooden pergolas.
The park is spread over 5,800sqm and include 130 trees, while the bushes cover about 240sqm and the grass cover includes 3,500sqm of garden area. The park includes different and distinctive types of trees. The main works at the park have been completed and some minor works are currently being carried out.