Abu Dhabi: The sprawling park in Abu Dhabi’s Al Mushrif area, one of the city’s oldest public gardens, always appealed to women and children, but a Dh179 million redevelopment has now transformed it into a vibrant community hub.
Renamed Mushrif Central Park, the park that was previously accessible only to women and children is now open to all.
The two-year redevelopment has introduced a 1,000-people amphitheatre, a botanical garden and an animal barn at the park.
“Mushrif Central Park opened in 1982. To build on this history, we hope the new facility will soon become an integral part of the Abu Dhabi community,” Abdul Aziz Ahmad, chief executive officer at Al Ain Properties, which redeveloped the park, told Gulf News.
The park was officially inaugurated on March 19 by Shaikh Hazza Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, UAE National Security Adviser and Vice-President of the Abu Dhabi Executive Council. Its Facebook page announced that 50,000 visitors visited the park on its opening weekend.
The park features 250 species of trees, including ghaf, sidra, neem, pink trumpet, fig and date palm. Developers also ensured more than 200 mature trees, some of the oldest in the city, were preserved and replanted in the new garden.
“We are proud to have been able to complete this challenging task of salvaging the trees as it is the best tribute to the legacy of the late Shaikh Zayed Bin Sultan Al Nahyan and his love of nature and passion for environmental conservation.
Additionally, as the trees have been in the park [for more than 30 years], they are a great source of shading and enable us to share the old park with today’s visitors,” Ahmad said.
In addition to these, 150,000 new shrubs and 1,200 new trees have also planted.
Some of them are located in a structure called the Shade House, which provides a more protected environment with 50 per cent more shading for plants. It also includes a fogging system that maintains humidity levels.
According to Ahmed, these adjustments allow tropical plant species, which would typically not survive in the UAE’s harsh climate, to flourish throughout the year.
“The Shade House also has two upper-level viewing decks offering picturesque views of the park and its surrounding skyline,” he added.
Across the garden, the greenery is watered with reclaimed greywater, thus saving up to 40 per cent of the water that would have been consumed for overall landscape irrigation.
Mushrif Central Park also has a barn that houses 12 animals, including a camel, a baby goat, a cow and a pony. Ahmad said this attraction is being managed in partnership with the Emirates Park Zoo, and the animals that populate the barn will depend on the climate.
Cafes and kiosks dot the landscape. Additionally, an added attraction are yoga classes that are organised daily. Every Saturday, a ripe food and craft market is also held here in partnership with community organisation, Al Bayt Mitwahid.
The market runs from 4pm to 9pm, and visitors can browse art, fashion, jewellery, clothing, homeware and food offerings from more than 100 vendors.
Entry fees are Dh5, with children under three entering for free.
Ahmad Al Nuaimi, an Emirati shop owner and father to three children, said the park offers his family a place to rejuvenate and enjoy their evenings.
“It is a five-minute drive from our home and the children really enjoyed the greenery. We expect to be coming back almost every weekend, if not more,” he said.
Hannah Robb, a long-term Abu Dhabi resident and teacher said the new park is a haven for city dwellers.
“It is a calm oasis in the middle of bustling Abu Dhabi and it affords the schoolchildren I teach a perfect venue for extra-curricular activities. As teachers, we will avail of the online system to book the amphitheatre for our concerts,” she said.
The grounds are particularly serene and perfect for yoga, said Sasha Quince, an experienced yoga and wellness expert who conducts classes at the park.
