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Mushrif Park is Back and Better Than Ever!

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The summer heat is almost over and there is a great new park to enjoy the cooler temperatures coming soon! Most of us who have lived in Abu Dhabi for a while will remember MushrifPark. It was one of the largest and oldest parks in Abu Dhabi as well as one of the favourite hangouts of the capital’s residents. Well, Mushrif Park has recently undergone a Dh179 million makeover during the last two years and it has finally reopened earlier this year! Rebranded as “Mushrif Central Park,” the new public space is huge—14,5 hectares!In this article, we’ve prepared an overview of the numerous educational and recreational facilities and other attractions this new community park has to offer.

The Shade House and The Botanic Garden

The metallic structure that houses the Shade House will surely become an icon soon with its impressive size and its amazing night time lighting effects. The space houses a great variety of plants, displayed in a beautiful and visually appealing arrangement. Visitors can enjoy panoramic viewsof the park from the decks inside the Shade House and parents with strollers and those with disabilities can also enjoy the view from above as there is a lift that takes visitors to the decks.

Right next to the shade house is the Botanic Garden, offeringa relaxing atmosphere. It looks like an oasis, with a lovely rocky area, natural pond and plenty of fauna and desert plants.

The Animal Barn

Meet some of the new residents of Mushrif Central Park at the Animal Barn. The animals housed here include goats, ponies, donkeys, cows, and camels. This barn is a great place to take the children who always love to learn about animals. For those children brave enough, some of the animals can be petted.

The Children’s Garden

The Children’s Garden is a modern interactive play area with a cooling and fun wadi. Families can enjoy a safe environment where their children can let their imaginations take over and explore freely. This is a great place for children to play and enjoy a beautiful wadi-like setting right in the heart of Abu Dhabi. And while your children play, youcan also enjoya workout using the park’s training area while watching over them.

The Amphitheatre

The Amphitheatre is located opposite the Entrance Pavilion. This outdoor area is a great venue for outdoor concerts and other public events, whether it’s a movie or sports event screening, cultural dances, concert, or a community theatre performance. The venue will be open to all community groups that want to share their artistic aspirations with the general public so expect to see an exciting variety of shows in the upcoming months.

The Great Lawn

The Great Lawn is the largest area in the park.This open space is perfect for a great range of activities from football to outdoor yoga classes or simply to relax on the lush greenery. It’s also a great place to gather for a picnic with a number of different stalls open all day long to buy refreshments, food, and ice cream.Colorful cushions spread around the lawn make for a comfortable resting placewhere you can relax outdoors and let the children run wild in the lawn and playgrounds surrounding the area.

The Movie Lawn

There will be a regular outdoor movie screening at the park where visitors can come and enjoy a movie under the stars. Grab a program at the information centre to see what movies will be playing.

The Wisdom Garden

Centrally located in the park, The Wisdom Garden is a Memorial to Sheikh Zayed Bin Sultan Al Nahyan, the founding President of the UAE. This peaceful and beautifully designed area invites visitors to read and reflect on Sheikh Zayed’s timeless and unforgettable quotes about the UAE and the country’s heritage and natural history.

The Saturday Market

Every Saturday, from 4pm to 9pm, there will be more than 100 vendors located near the promenade selling food, art, fashion, jewels, home decor accessories, organic veggies, and fruits.The beautiful palm tree-lined walkways filled with market stalls will be the ideal place for a Saturday afternoon with friends and family.

The Evening Garden

Set in a tranquil area of the park, the Evening Garden Pavilion is a 460-meter promenade surrounded by mature palm trees. Visitors can relax in a green sanctuary that will surely become a favourite hangout for many who seek a serene place to relax, read, or even work in peace.

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