Saudi Arabia will be home to the world’s largest urban park.
London has Hyde Park, New York has Central Park and Riyadh will have King Salman Park. Upon completion, the destination will be the world’s largest park. Located in Banban, Riyadh, the park is set to bring together arts, culture, entertainment and wellbeing, all on a record-breaking site.
King Salman Park aims to redefine the traditional concept of a park. In 2019, King Salman Bin Adulaziz Al Saud unveiled the plan, which is also named after him. Covering 13.3 square kilometres, the architecture firm Omrania is behind the design, which combines nature with modern features.
King Salman Park will be an all-year-round destination. Featuring a state-of-the-art climate-responsive design, it will also include a wadi and spots for family-friendly gatherings. The gardens will include an Islamic-style garden, mazes, and a bird and butterfly sanctuary. The water features will cover 300,000 metres, and the valley will cover 800,000 square metres.
Located on the grounds of the capital’s old airport, the area will include links to the metro station, and an urban loop with a circular promenade for cycling, running and walking. Plus, there will be plenty of greenery and shade, as there will be an impressive one million trees.
The Visitor’s Pavilion is a gateway into the park, and it will be home to a cultural information centre. Designed in a Salmani architectural style, the features will also include a 360-degree terrace overlooking the park, exhibition spaces, meeting rooms, cafés and restaurants.
Spanning 500,000 square metres, The Royal Arts Complex will include a national theatre that can accommodate 2,300 people, an outdoor theatre that can accommodate 8,000 people, three cinemas, and a specialised arts and culture library. Plus, there will be museums ranging from a Museum of World Cultures to the Royal Institute of Traditional Arts.
King Salman Park will also include museums on architecture, astronomy, aviation, science, plants and virtual reality. Plus, sports and entertainment facilities will include an amusement park, aquapark, equestrian centre and sky diving centre.
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GO: Visit https://kingsalmanpark.sa for more information.
