Crown Prince opens first phase of Sweimeh park

AMMAN — HRH Crown Prince Hussein on Saturday opened the first phase of Sweimeh park and met with a number of Jordanian young people, who have made outstanding achievements in various fields, a Royal Court statement said.

At the meeting, held on the sidelines of the World Economic Forum, the prince expressed delight over the distinctive Jordanian youth for their role in reflecting the Kingdom’s civilised image and competencies that are capable of excellence and achievement.

The Crown Prince, stressed the importance of supporting creativity through providing a stimulating and positive environment. 

Also on Saturday, the Crown Prince opened the first phase of the Prince Al Hussein Bin Abdullah II Park in Sweimeh, near the Dead Sea tourist zone, which is part of Royal Initiative projects.

Prince Hussein toured the facilities of the park, whose work was carried out by the Ministry of Public Works on a 240-dunum plot of land. The project aims to organise tourism in the region, ease traffic congestions, reduce accidents on the main road to the Dead Sea and protect the environment.

During the ceremony, Public Works Minister Sami Halaseh gave a briefing about the two-phase project, launched on land designated for the Jordan Free and Development Zones Group (JFDZG).

The park was built according to the latest international standards and includes 500 shaded spaces with benches, barbecue and play areas for children of all ages, a football pitch, a sand volleyball court as well as horse and camel riding trails.

It also houses a parking space that accommodates up to 500 cars, as well as kiosks and administrative premises and sanitary facilities.

The park, which was open to the public as of Saturday, is managed by the Greater Amman Municipality (GAM) in cooperation with the Public Security Department, which will ensure tourists’ safety and environment’s preservation. 

In an interview with the Jordan News Agency, Petra, Royal Court Secretary General Yousef Issawi said that building the park within the Royal initiative projects was a gift from Prince Hussein to local residents, with the facility being a platform for holding tourist activities and improving the level of services presented to visitors.

Issawi, who also heads the committee to follow up on Royal initiatives, said the park will provide jobs for local community members and reduce littering and pollution resulting from large numbers of picnickers during weekends and holidays.  

President of GAM Committee Yousef Shawarbeh said that the municipality planted 13,000 trees in the area, adding that there is transportation available for picnickers between parking spaces and the park facilities. 

JFDZG Deputy Director General Amal Zanon told Petra that the second phase of the project will be implemented on a 260-dunum plot of land.