Qatar residents should soon be able to enjoy more than 50 new green spaces in different parts of the country, a senior official at the Ministry of Municipality and Urban Planning (MMUP) has reportedly said.

Speaking to Al Raya this week, Mohamed Ali Al-Khuri, director of the public gardens department, didn’t specify a timeline for the opening of the parks.

However, he said that two of the new facilities would be located in Umm Salal and Al Wakrah, and are expected to open “in a few months,” the Peninsula reports.

The official added that the government has been working to respond to the needs of park-goers by upgrading facilities at several existing parks.

Gulf Times reports:

“Al-Khuri said public complaints over poor lightning in some public gardens in the evening and non-availability of adequate children’s play areas there would be resolved soon. In addition, the department is working closely with ictQATAR to provide free internet services at all public gardens in the country.”

IctQatar has long provided free WiFi in several parks around Qatar, including the park next to the Sheraton Doha Hotel, Rumailah (which is now closed), Dahl Al Hamam, suburban Al-Wakrah park and Corniche Al-Khor park.

The service is a selling point for many residents who wish to spend time outdoors but want to remain in touch with their friends and family.

Parks galore

Qatar has been working to improve its green space offerings in recent times. Last year, the MMUP announced that four new family parks would open to the public on National Day:

• Onaiza Park, situated in Dafna, near Al Jazi Gardens housing compound, which includes a shaded children’s play area, football pitches covered with industrial turf, shaded seating areas, a cafe, toilets and a water cooler;
• Al Shehaniyah Park, which is west of Doha on Dukhan Road and includes a mosque, football pitches, a children’s play area, basketball and handball courts, seating areas, toilets and water coolers;
• Al Khairaitiyat Plaza, just north of Doha, which has a covered kiddie play area, shaded seating and toilets; and
• Umm Salal Park, whose facilities include a prayer room, children’s play area, cafe, toilets and free WiFi.

Meanwhile, the reopening of a park in Al Khor, which has been undergoing a five-year, QR250-million renovation, appears to be running behind schedule, as its July deadline was missed.

Work also continues on the new Sheraton Park, which is being constructed above a new underground parking garage.

While scheduled to be completed by last December, media reports suggest that it won’t open until September at the earliest.

Thoughts?