Bahrain to open $18.5 million park on national day

Bahrain is set to open a BD7 million ($18.5 million) public park to coincide with the country''s National Day festivities, a top official said. The Prince Khalifa Public Park in Hidd will cover 80,000 sq m and is expected to be completed by December. Work started on the park in October last year as part of a major project to beautify the country and expand recreational facilities for families, according to (Trade Arabia) news service. The new park would offer sea views and be a major attraction for visitors of the country, said Muharraq Municipal Council chairman Abdulnasser Al Mahmeed. "The park is a huge project and will hold the name of His Royal Highness Prince Khalifa," he said. "It will also overlook the Prince Khalifa bridge, which means it''s one of the few if not the only park in Bahrain with a sea view." The project will feature a 300-metre walkway as well as shopping area for visitors. It will also have a viewing tower similar to the Kuwait Towers, which will host a restaurant, according to area councillor Ali Al Muqla. "It will give visitors full view of the city and host a restaurant," he said. The park will also feature an artificial lake with pedalo boats as one of the few public gardens to host such activity. The councillor revealed once work on the park was complete, an investor will be brought in to manage the establishment. "The park will be handed to an investor who will manage its facilities," he said. "The procedure as well as details of the deal have not yet been finalised."