Some of Jeddah’s public parks are dirty, poorly maintained and lack basic services, according to irate residents here.

Zain Qashqari, a Jeddah resident, told Arab News recently that he does not go to the two parks close to his home because they “both have no electricity, poor sanitation and lots of litter. The only source of light in these parks is from the poles in the streets surrounding it.”

Qashqari called on the Jeddah mayoralty to intervene and solve these problems.

Bashir Al-Ghoneim, who lives in Al-Safa, said the only park in his neighborhood is in a deplorable state. “It has been turned into a garbage dump,” he said.

The poor attention to sanitation has led to the proliferation of cats and mice in the park.

“The only choice I have is to travel long distances with my family to look for clean and beautiful gardens where we can enjoy the weekends.”

Meanwhile, the Al-Iman park was opened Thursday by Mohammed Qattan, director general of the municipality’s gardens and landscaping department, on behalf of Jeddah Mayor Hani Abu Ras. The park is in Al-Muhammadiyah neighborhood over an area of 2,072 square meters. Al-Iman is the second of 40 public gardens scheduled to open soon. Sixteen have been opened since the beginning of the year.

Mohammed Al-Buqami, spokesman of the Jeddah Municipality, told Arab News that the park falls within the borders of Obhur municipality. It is covered by 1,007 square meters of green spaces with 122 trees of all varieties.

The garden is equipped with five seating areas, one game section for children, eight lighting poles and walking paths of 762 square meters.

 
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