Kilometre-long canal star attraction in Meraas’ Dubai theme parks project

The canal will flow through the 120,000-square metre plaza bordered on each side by shops and cafes and surrounded by garden terraces. Above, an illustration of the Riverpark development. Courtesy MerShow more

A kilometre-long canal in the desert plied by water taxis is set to be the star attraction of an entrance plaza that will connect three new theme parks in Dubai's Jebel Ali.
The Meraas Holding subsidiary Dubai Parks & Resorts, which is developing Legoland Dubai and Hollywood and Bollywood theme parks on the outskirts of the city, yesterday revealed more details of Riverpark, the grand entrance plaza to the project.
The canal will flow through the 120,000 square metre plaza bordered on each side by shops and cafes and surrounded by garden terraces, DP&R said yesterday.
The project will also include an arena for hosting community events, street entertainment and outdoor activities.
Meraas, the private property company of Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid, Vice President of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, first announced plans for five linked theme parks in Jebel Ali close to the Dubai 2020 Expo site in 2012 as part of a government push to double annual visitor numbers to 20 million by the year of the exhibition.
In September the company announced that it had already completed 30 per cent of the infrastructure work needed to support the first phase of the megaproject, which comprises the three parks, the Riverpark entrance plaza and a Polynesian-themed hotel.
"We believe the innovative retail, entertainment, food and beverage options showcased at Dubai Parks & Resorts will give tourists several compelling reasons to visit the megadestination," said Raed Al Nuaimi, the chief executive of DP & R.
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