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09 October 2024

Dubai residents flock to JLT's newly-opened park

Image courtesy Majorie Van Leijen

Published
By Majorie van Leijen

After a long couple of months of watching the transformation from their apartment windows, residents can now enjoy the lake-turned-into park that has materialised at Jumeirah Lakes Towers.

The park has come up where once ‘Lake C’ formed the centerpiece of the northern part of the community.

The lake has made place for 55,000 square metres of greenery, much to the appreciation of community residents and those in the nearby area, as it is certainly the largest stretch of public park in the vicinity.

Reportedly hundreds of people have flocked to the park since its opening on Friday, January 10.

“If you come here in the late afternoon, you will find hundreds of parents with their children,” says Alexandra Dziechciarz, a Polish mother of a four-year-old while watching her daughter experiment with the new playground equipment that lies just in front of her apartment.

“Previously, we only had two small play areas in the community. That was not enough. This is much bigger, but judging by the number of people who come to enjoy it I would say this is still quite small. It is a great place for children to play.”

A couple of metres away a toddler is crawling through the sand while Zeina, the mother of the one-year-old is pushing another child on the swing.

“This is very nice to have in the community, much better than the previous play areas,” she says.

Vivian Pedersen, a Danish 28-year-old mother lives in Marina, but has come to JLT to stroll through the greenery and meet her friend, who does live in the community.

“We do not have such an area in Marina,” she days. Luckily I can use the Metro bridge to come here.”

I am amazed how many people are using it, hundreds! The community is thrilled, I'd say,” said Daniel, a JLT resident who frequently kept Emirates 24|7 up to date on the latest developments as seen from his apartment.

As parents and children are sure visitors to the site, the park also attracts peace-seekers or those who need an escape from office.

“We do not live here, but we work in one of the buildings here. We are just on a break right now, talking a walk through the park,” said Marco Polidori, an Italian 55-year old.

Said Laamin, a Maroccon 23-year-old Carrefour employee: “I just come here to relax during my break. But I come here in the evening too, to play at the basketball court,” he says.

“I do not work here, but I happened to visit a company that is located here. I had to think through my sales plan, and this is a very peaceful place to do so,” says Abhay from India.

The park is for free, and visitors can enter from several sites. A pedestrian bridge enhances accessibility linking the lake to the southern part of the community.

Although the gates are open, some parts of the park are still under construction. A jogging track leading around the park is yet to be opened, and an amphitheatre is in the making.

“We are hoping for picnic tables,” said Alexandra, while Helena Jackson, another mother and resident from the UK noted that more shaded place would be helpful once the summer kicks in.