Abu Dhabi government announces major makeover for Al Rahba park

Bio dome, water park, cafes, gym, spa, playgrounds, camping and barbecue areas, air-conditioned markets, all in plan.

Abu Dhabi Municipality plans to develop the area around Sharia Park in Al Rahba. Christopher Pike / The National

ABU DHABI // It is hoped that a redevelopment project for a park in Al Rahba by the Abu Dhabi municipal government will revitalise the neighbourhood and provide a bolster to its economy.

The Al Sharia Park Development Project is part of the capital’s “commitment to upgrade the calibre of service facilities and to raise the bar on the standards of parks and recreational gardens to bring them in line with world-class standards”, Abu Dhabi Municipality said.

The park – currently a ladies-only amenity with a couple of dozen parking spaces – is situated between Abu Dhabi and Dubai on the eastern side of Sheikh Maktoum bin Rashid Highway (E11).

The plan is to transform the site into a family-orientated park with a vast range of attractions.

Stand-out features will include a blue “bio-dome” accompanied by 50,000 square metres of amenities.

Amenities will include festival halls, retail outlets, air-conditioned markets, restaurants, pools, a children’s water park, and cafes.

The construction of the “Sheikh Zayed Heritage Yard” will depict the story of the Sharia Park.

It is also hoped the park will become a location for recreational activities such as horse riding, falconry and desert biking as well as providing an all-women’s pool and gym, playgrounds, and camping and barbecue areas. There will also be a boutique hotel with chalets, villas, a gym, spa, meeting rooms and banquet halls.

The new facilities will be integrated with the current park’s fruit orchards, trees, and native flora and fauna.

Municipal officials said that they hoped the park – expected to cover an area of about 380,000 square metres – would serve more than 100,000 residents in neighbouring communities.

“The aim of the project is to rejuvenate and revive Sharia Park with its rich tradition, rendering it a key attractive recreational destination and a unique facility in Abu Dhabi Emirate in particular and the UAE in general,” the municipality said.

Across the road from the site, a hotel manager expressed support for the project, saying it could lead to economic development in the area.

“It’s a great idea,” said Gigi B George, finance manager at the Tulip Inn. “It will attract families that will hopefully visit our hotel as well. There is no other entertainment in the area, so this will be a good attraction.”

Mr George said that the development of attractions at nearby Yas Island have had a positive effect for the area’s economy and that he hoped that the park project, if fulfilled according to plan, would have a positive effect for Al Rahba.

He said that his hotel currently experiences swings in uptake between seasons; with the park, he said he hoped a more consistent stream of visitors would begin to frequent the area.

Last month, the government made a request for the submission of tenders for companies to get on board with the park’s development.

It said it was offering the private sector opportunities in the park’s funding, construction, and operation. The deadline for bids is September 29.

As part of its long term vision for the capital, Abu Dhabi City Municipality has upgraded infrastructure and recreational facilities with a number of high profile projects. In March, a revamped Mushrif Central Park was reopened after a two-year, Dh179 million redevelopment.