Families in Fujairah welcome new Corniche for relaxation and play

The Dh600,000 Qidfa Corniche has been welcomed by residents of Qidfa and Murbah.

The Corniche in Murbah, between Fujairah and Khor Fakkan, now offers a walkway and play areas. Antonie Robertson / The National

FUJAIRAH // A two-kilometre stretch of corniche from Qidfa to Murbah opens officially next month.

Work on the Dh600,000 Qidfa Corniche began in January and 90 per cent of the project has now been completed, said Fujairah Municipality.

The construction started after calls from the public for an open space where families could spend time during weekends and holidays.

Nawal Al Hanaei, director of Land Affairs and head of Buildings, said: “Our main goal is to serve the community and residents and to gain their satisfaction.

“We received many comments last year from residents requesting to have a place beside the beach for them to spend the weekends and holidays with the family, so we started to work on that by setting up this project.”

The new corniche, which will open in early September, has converted the beach into a more vibrant area, with recreational facilities and public services, said Ms Al Hanaei.

“The Corniche will benefit all family members, with kids’ playing areas that include 16 modern games in different sizes, 36 shaded benches and areas for barbecuing. The 2km Corniche will be equipped with 250 parking spaces and a five metre wide interlock pathway for joggers,” she said.

There will also be landscaped areas, changing rooms and a cafeteria.

Many people are already using the completed facilities. Qidfa resident Bader Obed said he welcomed a new place for the children to play.

“We really appreciate all the work done by the municipality. The new Corniche is five minutes away from my residential area and I’ve been there with my family two times now,” said the 32-year-old. “It is well-designed and great for family picnics beside the beach.

“I always wanted a place nearby to go jogging and stay fit, instead of driving all the way to Khor Fakkan to do so.”

Salwa Kamal, 34, from Jordan, said: “My kids love it. It’s not fully completed yet but I can see that the work is under process so we are satisfied with the outcome.”

The municipality urged residents to keep the new area clean free from graffiti.