Safa Park

Safa Park

Safa Park, with Downtown Burj Khalifa and Business Bay in the background
Type Municipal
Location Dubai
Coordinates 25°11′08″N 55°14′50″E / 25.18556°N 55.24722°E / 25.18556; 55.24722Coordinates: 25°11′08″N 55°14′50″E / 25.18556°N 55.24722°E / 25.18556; 55.24722
Area 158.148 acres (0.64 km², 0.247 mi², 64 hectares)
Created 1975
Operated by Dubai Municipality: Dubai Public Parks
Status Open all year from 8 AM to 11 PM

Safa Park (in Arabic: حديقة الصفا) is a 64 hectare (158.147 acre) urban park located in Dubai, United Arab Emirates. It is 10.53 km (6.60 mi) southwest of the traditional center of Dubai along Sheikh Zayed Road. The park is bordered by Sheikh Zayed Road, Al Wasl Road, Al Hadiqa Street, and 55th Street.

Created in 1975, Safa Park was located on the outskirts of Dubai. Prior to its creation, the area was inhabited by illegal immigrants from South Asia. They lived in makeshift homes without running water. The Dubai government turned its head from these illegal immigrants due to the need for their labor. The immigrants were later given amnesty and expelled from the immediate area for the creation of the park.[1]

After being a destination for Dubai's residents for nine years, the park went under redevelopment in 1984. Another redevelopment occurred between 1989 and 1992. The first redevelopment included the addition of sanitary utilities and an indoor playground. The latter development delivered recreational and service facilities to the park.[2][3] Today Safa Park is almost in the center of the city and only 3.05 km (1.90 mi) from the Burj Khalifa, 5.06 km (3.14 mi) from the Emirates Towers, and 6.27 km (3.90 mi) from the Dubai World Trade Centre. Due to Dubai's rapid growth, skyscrapers are now approaching the park's doorstep.

The park contains three lakes, over 200 species of birds, and 16,924 different trees and bushes.[4] Within the park, one can find grassy lawns (which cover 80% of the whole park), a little forest, and a hill to offer panoramic views of the park. A waterfall flows out of the hill and into the largest lake which contains a fountain and touring boats.

There are four entrances to the park, one from each road that borders it.

See also

References

  1. ↑ Safa Park Information (Click on "Safa Park 1971")
  2. ↑ Safa Park Redevelopment
  3. ↑ Dubai Municipality: Dubai Public Parks: Al Safa Park
  4. ↑ Dubai Municipality: Dubai Public Parks: Al Safa Park: Recreation

Safa Park in 1960s & 70s

External links

This article is issued from Wikipedia - version of the Wednesday, March 30, 2016. The text is available under the Creative Commons Attribution/Share Alike but additional terms may apply for the media files.