King Salman Park opened in Riyadh

RIYADH: Riyadh Gov. Prince Faisal bin Bandar inaugurated Phase-1 of the King Salman Park project on the northwest side of King Khaled International Airport, about 50 km from here,
on Thursday.
The park, which occupies 3.4 million square meters of land, has been aesthetically designed by the planners while keeping in mind visitors, especially families.
“The park was planned by Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman when he was Riyadh governor and chairman of ArRiyadh Development Authority (ADA). It has been named after him because it is very dear to us. The remaining works on the park will be executed gradually,” he said.
“The planners have skillfully designed the park with small valleys and rocky formations, which resembles the Najd region, thus giving it a natural beauty and distinctiveness from other parks in the city,” he said.
Municipal and Rural Affairs Minister Abdul Lateef Al-Asheikh, who attended the opening ceremony, said the current phase of the park consists of a natural garden zone, Safari zone, recreational and play ground zone and a zone for a traditional souq and productive families’ booths, along with valleys, dome, roads.
Majid Al-Hokair, deputy chairman of the Al-Hokair Group for Tourism and Development and deputy chair for Tourism Committee at Riyadh Chamber of Commerce and Industry and Council of Saudi Chambers, told Arab News that the new park adds large breathing zone and recreational attraction for the population. It will also attract more visitors in summer, thus giving a strong boost to tourism and shopping in the capital year round, he said.