Plans have been unveiled for an impressive public park featuring a reservoir, boulevard, sculptures by Bahraini artists and other facilities in Hamad Town.

It will cover an area of 60,000 sq m and initial designs also include a tree conservation area, jogging track, playing fields, children's play area and a 'sand dune park,’ said a report in the Gulf Daily News (GDN), our sister publication.

The project is planned for the Al Lawzi area and a Malaysian firm has been appointed to begin work.

“The Malaysian company that has been appointed for the development has already set up an office in Bahrain and we have checked out many projects that they have completed in Malaysia,” said Northern Municipality director general Yusuf Al Ghatam.

Al Ghatam said a 60,000-sq-m plot in Hamad Town had been found suitable for the development.

“The park is the first of its kind in Hamad Town and I think that the Finance Ministry will allocate a good budget for it,” he added.

However, he said the designs could be amended and suggested the 'sand dune park' could be scrapped in favour of a family recreation area.

“The first impression is good, but I have proposed that the company add a walkway because that's what people here want in a park,” he said.

“I also suggested the replacement of the sand dune park because it is already dusty in Bahrain.

An agreement for the development was signed by former Municipalities and Urban Planning Affairs Minister Dr Juma Al Ka'abi and Malaysian Ambassador Ahmed Shahizan Abdul Samad.

“There was an understanding between Bahrain and Malaysia in the field of municipalities work,” explained Al Ghatam.

Meanwhile, Northern Municipal Council vice-chairman Ahmed Al Kooheji welcomed the idea and suggested the 'sand dune park' could be replaced by an aviary, similar to the Jurong Bird Park in Singapore.

“This park can be a tourism spot in Bahrain and I was hoping that we could have a small park for birds similar to the famous one in Singapore,” he said.

“People can enjoy the birds and in this kind of park there should be a water area as well.” - TradeArabia News Service