UAE | Heritage and Culture

Garden around old fort adds to Al Ain highlights

Located in the centre of the oasis city, Al Jahili Garden has replaced two old gardens known as the public park and the children's and women's garden near the Clock Tower junction.

  • Staff Reporter
  • Published: 00:47 March 3, 2008
  • Gulf News

Al Ain: The gates of a new garden were officially opened for the public yesterday, offering a cosy atmosphere with a blend of modern and traditional.

Launching of the new parks also marked the start of the UAE Plantation Week which started yesterday.

Located in the centre of the oasis city, Al Jahili Garden has replaced two old gardens known as the public park and the children's and women's garden near the Clock Tower junction.

The garden was opened by Jasim Darwaish, General Manager of General Secretariat of Municipalities, and Awad Khalifa Al Darmaky, General Manager of Al Ain Municipality, at a ceremony that was also attended by a number of dignitaries and government functionaries.

Host of facilities

They also visited the garden and inspected its different facilities. The boundaries of the new garden have also been extended to cover an adjacent archaeological site, including the historic Al Jahili Fort.

The expansion and redesigning of the garden took more than two years to complete. The Public Gardens' Section at Al Ain Municipalities and Agriculture Department supervised the project.

Al Jahili Fort, which is one of the most famous historical forts in the UAE, was located just outside the south-western corner of the old garden. It has been given a prominence in the new design, becoming the centre of attraction.

Al Jahili Fort was built by Shaikh Zayed Bin Khalifa Al Nahyan in 1898. The fort, which is built of mud-brick, stones, and palm trees, was built for defence purposes and to guard precious palm groves. It was also used as a residence for the local governor.

Al Jahili Garden has extensive landscaping, pathways, including the one around the fort, fountains, decorative lights, play area for children, cafeteria, and car park.

An official of the municipality said the garden is a blend of modern trends and the Emirati culture and traditions.

"It would be an excellent addition to the city's gardens, helping to boost its image as a tourist destination," he added. The oasis city, which has been fast emerging as the centre of family oriented tourism in the region, has around 70 special parks for women and children, families, as well as the general public.

Sharjah

Two more parks

The Director General of Sharjah Municipality, Salah Al Haj, opened two new parks last Saturday in Al Bada'a.

The two parks are part of Sharjah's initiative towards a greener emirate. Sharjah Municipality will hold celebrations throughout the week that will last until Thursday, which includes games for children, photography exhibition and workshops on designing flowerbeds.

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