The first marine park at Dhahban over an area of 110,000 square meters along the waterfront opened for public on Thursday, days ahead of Eid Al-Adha.

Jeddah Gov. Prince Mishaal bin Majed inaugurated the first marine park at Dhahban on the shores of the Red Sea, 40 km north of the city near the Bay of Salman recently.

The first marine park, which was started a year ago by the Jeddah municipality as “Dhahban,” is a popular picnic spot frequented by Saudi citizens, especially fish lovers who visit the area to have a taste of fresh fish.

The new marine park at the waterfront has landscaping and greenery. It is equipped with a wide range of multi-recreational facilities including a football pitch and children’s entertainment areas, in addition to restaurants.

The park is spread over an area of 110,000 square meters along the waterfront; the landscaping and green areas cover 38,000 square meters with 600 trees, 4,500 bushes, 312 palm trees and a wide range of other greenery. The park also has two large fountains and two playgrounds for children with 25 varieties of games.

Hani Abu Ras, the mayor of Jeddah, said that this park is part of the state’s interest to provide appropriate and suitable entertainment for visitors and residents of Jeddah in environmental friendly places.

He said that this project, which has received great interest from Prince Khaled Al-Faisal, adviser to Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman and governor of Makkah, and Prince Mishaal bin Majed.

He also said Jeddah needs such places. They offer residents and visitors a chance to stay healthy and provide them with an entertainment place they can be proud of.

“We are confident that the citizen has an awareness of what is sufficient to maintain the beauty of such places and help the municipality in its maintenance,” he added.

The park includes a mosque, walkways and family sitting areas, a football stadium, tennis court, a sandy beach, fishing area and other sports activities and equipment. The park cost the government more than SR38 million.