ABU DHABI // Changing demographics in the city centre have driven plans to revamp one of the island's few women-only gardens, Mushrif Ladies & Children Garden, into a "People's Park" accessible to everyone.
To be renamed Mushrif Central Park, the 14-hectare site at Karamah and Mohammed bin Khalifa Streets, is expected to open near the end of 2011, with millions of dirhams to be spent on building a botanical garden, petting zoo, performing arts amphitheatre, shade house and children's museum.
The redevelopment of the area would welcome men for the first time since the park opened in 1982.
"This used to be a ladies' park because the area in the past was mostly populated by locals," said Ahmed al Marar, the vice-chairman of Al Ain International Group, the holding company for Seba Properties, which is managing the project.
As a student in the 1980s, Mr al Marar used to run along the park's outer wall.
Under the new plans, 3km of jogging and cycling trails will traverse the park grounds, keeping visitors safely away from traffic.
"There used to be a lot of cars behind the park, meaning there were a lot of families going there."
Over time, he said, more Emiratis moved out of the area to newer neighbourhoods off the mainland such as Khalifa City. Attendance at Mushrif Park dropped accordingly.
"In the 1990s, I started to jog again in the evenings," said Mr al Marar "and there were still cars at that time. But a couple of years ago I went back and there was hardly anybody going there."
Nearly 160,000 women pay the Dh1 (US$. 27) entrance fee each year, but Mr al Marar said visitor numbers have declined recently.
"During the last 15 years, the population of the locals has started to go on the outskirts of Abu Dhabi. We started to see expats moving into these houses on the surrounding areas, so it became a mix of cultures," he said.
"It's time for the park to accommodate that mix. That's why we're calling this the 'People's Park'."
By 2020, the new Mushrif Central Park expects to draw 850,000 visitors annually.
Under new landscaping plans, about 150,000 new shrubs and 700 new trees will be planted, joining the 250 broad-leafed trees there since the 1980s.
Apart from attractions such as water features, a shaded promenade and a sculpture garden, Mr al Marar was most excited about introducing a Friday souk.
"It's going to be maintaining the kind of ambience of UAE heritage and simplicity," he said. "It's one of the most exciting features which came from us testing the market and doing initial surveys."
mkwong@thenational.ae
Profile
Company: Justmop.com
Date started: December 2015
Founders: Kerem Kuyucu and Cagatay Ozcan
Sector: Technology and home services
Based: Jumeirah Lake Towers, Dubai
Size: 55 employees and 100,000 cleaning requests a month
Funding: The company’s investors include Collective Spark, Faith Capital Holding, Oak Capital, VentureFriends, and 500 Startups.
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Electric scooters: some rules to remember
- Riders must be 14-years-old or over
- Wear a protective helmet
- Park the electric scooter in designated parking lots (if any)
- Do not leave electric scooter in locations that obstruct traffic or pedestrians
- Solo riders only, no passengers allowed
- Do not drive outside designated lanes
2024%20Dubai%20Marathon%20Results
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Key figures in the life of the fort
Sheikh Dhiyab bin Isa (ruled 1761-1793) Built Qasr Al Hosn as a watchtower to guard over the only freshwater well on Abu Dhabi island.
Sheikh Shakhbut bin Dhiyab (ruled 1793-1816) Expanded the tower into a small fort and transferred his ruling place of residence from Liwa Oasis to the fort on the island.
Sheikh Tahnoon bin Shakhbut (ruled 1818-1833) Expanded Qasr Al Hosn further as Abu Dhabi grew from a small village of palm huts to a town of more than 5,000 inhabitants.
Sheikh Khalifa bin Shakhbut (ruled 1833-1845) Repaired and fortified the fort.
Sheikh Saeed bin Tahnoon (ruled 1845-1855) Turned Qasr Al Hosn into a strong two-storied structure.
Sheikh Zayed bin Khalifa (ruled 1855-1909) Expanded Qasr Al Hosn further to reflect the emirate's increasing prominence.
Sheikh Shakhbut bin Sultan (ruled 1928-1966) Renovated and enlarged Qasr Al Hosn, adding a decorative arch and two new villas.
Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan (ruled 1966-2004) Moved the royal residence to Al Manhal palace and kept his diwan at Qasr Al Hosn.
Sources: Jayanti Maitra, www.adach.ae
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
COMPANY PROFILE
Name: Almnssa
Started: August 2020
Founder: Areej Selmi
Based: Gaza
Sectors: Internet, e-commerce
Investments: Grants/private funding
EXPATS
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if you go
The flights Fly Dubai, Air Arabia, Emirates, Etihad, and Royal Jordanian all offer direct, three-and-a-half-hour flights from the UAE to the Jordanian capital Amman. Alternatively, from June Fly Dubai will offer a new direct service from Dubai to Aqaba in the south of the country. See the airlines’ respective sites for varying prices or search on reliable price-comparison site Skyscanner.
The trip
Jamie Lafferty was a guest of the Jordan Tourist Board. For more information on adventure tourism in Jordan see Visit Jordan. A number of new and established tour companies offer the chance to go caving, rock-climbing, canyoning, and mountaineering in Jordan. Prices vary depending on how many activities you want to do and how many days you plan to stay in the country. Among the leaders are Terhaal, who offer a two-day canyoning trip from Dh845 per person. If you really want to push your limits, contact the Stronger Team. For a more trek-focused trip, KE Adventure offers an eight-day trip from Dh5,300 per person.
COMPANY PROFILE
Name: HyperSpace
Started: 2020
Founders: Alexander Heller, Rama Allen and Desi Gonzalez
Based: Dubai, UAE
Sector: Entertainment
Number of staff: 210
Investment raised: $75 million from investors including Galaxy Interactive, Riyadh Season, Sega Ventures and Apis Venture Partners
Dengue%20fever%20symptoms
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The specs
Engine: 1.5-litre turbo
Power: 181hp
Torque: 230Nm
Transmission: 6-speed automatic
Starting price: Dh79,000
On sale: Now
The specs: 2018 Mercedes-Benz E 300 Cabriolet
Price, base / as tested: Dh275,250 / Dh328,465
Engine: 2.0-litre four-cylinder
Power: 245hp @ 5,500rpm
Torque: 370Nm @ 1,300rpm
Transmission: Nine-speed automatic
Fuel consumption, combined: 7.0L / 100km
Hot%20Seat
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Company: Instabug
Founded: 2013
Based: Egypt, Cairo
Sector: IT
Employees: 100
Stage: Series A
Investors: Flat6Labs, Accel, Y Combinator and angel investors