JEDDAH, 4 March 2008 — A new center devoted to the development of parks is currently being established under the supervision of the Jeddah Municipality at the Azizyah district, according to a municipality official.
The first of its kind in the Kingdom, the Parks and Community Center aims to serve society in the field of urban parks development through organizing studies, conducting research and providing lectures to public and specialized professionals, according to Ashraf Al-Turki, head of the municipality’s open areas department.
The 400-square-meter center is being built at the Al-Abrar public park at the intersection of Prince Majed and Sari streets.
“The center also aims at spreading the awareness of the importance of greenery even in homes and the positive effects they have toward environment and health in general,” said Al-Turki, adding that the public can seek the center’s help to know simple scientific methods for designing and maintaining home gardens.
Various local and international exhibitions and events would be hosted in the center in addition to periodic parks and garden-related lectures that target all sections of society, especially children.
As part of awareness activities, the center will publish a newsletter about the environment and community-related news that would be given away for free to the public, he said.
The center, he said, will contain a solar power unit for electricity supply in addition to a natural ventilation system.
The main hall contains an open area for hosting exhibitions and holding lectures, he said.
