The Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman has issued directives to complete carrying out the King Abdullah International Parks Project here, considering it to be one whole integrated project that should not be divided into stages, Saudi Press Agency reported Thursday. This is in line with what was presented by Crown Prince Muhammad Bin Salman, deputy premier and minister of defense, to bring back the project on its natural track and provide it with all its requirements so that it is set up according to the studies and designs prepared by Riyadh Mayoralty. In this connection, Acting Minister of Municipal and Rural Affairs Dr. Majid Bin Abdullah Al-Qasabi signed Thursday the contract for completing the project, which is in line with the Kingdom's Vision 2030 in increasing the green areas in the Kingdom as well as the programs for improving the quality of life. The Mayor of Riyadh Eng. Tariq Bin Abdulaziz Al-Faris said that in implementation of the royal directives, the mayoralty has invited tenders for carrying out the project. The contract, worth SR1,602,966,235 was awarded to Zeid Al-Hussein and Brothers Group. The project has to be completed within 30 months. At present, preparations are being made to begin completion of the project according to the set schedule. Al-Faris said: "The King Abdullah International Parks Project, which is located on Jeddah Expressway in western Riyadh, has an area of 2.1m sq. meters. It is deemed one of the quality projects in Riyadh city, which is in tandem with the "Quality of Life" Program, one of the programs of the Kingdom's Vision 2030." Al-Faris further said that the project comprises the main building, designed in the shape of two intersecting crescents encompassing a set of elements, including a plants museum, valley park, aqueous parks, and international parks. They will also have a number of scientific parks, like a park for birds, and others for butterflies, light and sound, nature, discovery and a maze. Al-Faris added that the project would also include seven various botanical gardens depicting the evolution of plants throughout the ages. Aside from these, there will be walkways for people who love the exercise of walking, restaurants, cafes, watch towers, an open ground for events, activities and celebrations, a set of integrated utilities and services, and parking lots for 5,000 vehicles. — SPA
