Work on Bahrain's biggest public park began yesterday as part of a major project to beautify the country and expand recreational facilities for families.

The BD5.68 million ($15.06 million) Prince Khalifa Public Park in Hidd will cover 78,000 square metres and is expected to be completed within 14 months.

However, Municipalities and Agriculture Affairs Minister Dr Juma Al Ka'abi is confident it will officially open during Bahrain's National Day celebrations in December next year.

The park's foundation stone was laid by Deputy Prime Minister Shaikh Mohammed bin Mubarak Al Khalifa on behalf of His Royal Highness Prime Minister Prince Khalifa bin Salman Al Khalifa, who patronised the ceremony.

Shaikh Mohammed said that the park would be one of the crown jewels of Bahrain's parks and gardens.

'This new park, the only one designed so far with a sea view, will be a place where locals and expatriates can breathe clean air and at the same time is something necessary for our tourism approach,' he said.

'We appreciate the work done by Bahrain's five municipal councils and pledge to provide their ideas with our full support and today's projects, whether public parks or gardens, are mainly due to our co-operation with them.

'The government hopes that this new park would be the beginning of many projects of this calibre to come up as Bahrain expands its network of green and family recreational facilities.'

Dr Al Ka'abi said the ministry was working side by side with Bahrain's five municipal councils to create projects that people wanted.

'Today's projects are here because we have representatives from the public - councillors - and their contributions have helped us a lot to map out our projects and this new park is an example of the many projects to come,' he said.

Muharraq Governor Salman Bin Hindi praised Bahrain's leadership for their support to development in Muharraq and across the country.

'A few days ago it was His Majesty King Hamad and HRH the Premier with us and today we are here to appreciate the role of the leadership by having one of Muharraq's parks named after one of our beloved personalities,' he said.

'It is the renaissance in Bahrain under their leadership and there are no plans to stop as work on development continues, with this park being just one of many to come.'

Muharraq Municipal Council chairman Mohammed Hammada said that the location of the park was chosen because it overlooked the Prince Khalifa Bridge.

'It is the only park designed with a sea view and from what I have heard from contractors Nass Group, the areas surrounding the bridge will be developed and turned into a haven as a part of the project,' he said.

'We have heard that the project will finish faster than expected and there are negotiations going on to have more facilities included.

'HRH the Premier was keen for the project to see light and within just a few months we are here not just talking about turning it into a reality, but having more and more done and that's the government's new approach to projects.'

Dr Al Ka'abi presented Shaikh Mohammed with a commemorative gift at the conclusion of the event.-TradeArabia News Service