Okaz newspaper

A FEWS days back, I decided to go for a picnic along the new Jeddah Corniche. Truly speaking, what I have seen has surpassed all my expectations. The Corniche has become a beautiful waterfront that suits the reputation of Jeddah, which is the gateway to our country. It is the city that receives most of the visitors to the country including several millions of Haj and Umrah pilgrims every year.

Sometime back I also praised the Jazan waterfront.

I have no doubt many beautiful waterfronts have become attractive picnic spots for the Kingdom’s population. Sadly enough, I have not visited all these waterfronts but I have no doubt that all of them are beautiful.

Beautification projects in parks and green areas in our towns and cities are nothing new but it seems that there are new parameters in their execution and better regulations to protect them.

This is what makes me optimistic about the King Salman Park project to be established in the heart of Riyadh using the land of the city’s old airport, which was turned into an airbase. This park will be the lung through which the capital city will breathe.

The waterfronts, public parks and green areas were among projects that had been ignored for long decades on the maps of our major cities. They were not given the attention they deserved or they were badly executed.

It is nice to correct the old mistakes to cope with the period of transformation, which will change our lifestyles on all levels including the improvement of our environment.

Public parks will definitely have a positive impact on people’s temperaments and may go a long way in soothing stressed minds.

You will never find a cosmopolitan city without large public parks where people will go for their regular outings. These parks are also used for a number of entertainment activities, theatrical shows, musical nights, competitions, sports, art exhibitions and others.