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Parks of salalah

written and photographed by ANDREW WALKER

“”Salalah’s public parks rival those of any European city”�?br>
Famous for its beautiful beaches, majestic mountain ranges and unique Khareef season, Salalah offers locals and visitors alike a number of spectacular attractions. In this issue, we introduce our readers to another of Salalah’s great features: its parks. Scattered throughout the city in sometimes odd and difficult-to-find locations, Salalah’s public parks rival those of any European city.

tended grounds

Dahariz Park

Located in the Dahariz area, this meticulously tended park resembles the private grounds of a fancy estate. Located across the road from the palm-lined sands of Dahariz Beach, the park’s southern section offers a quiet, comfortable green space to ponder life and relax with a view of the sea.

Near the entrance, the northwestern section of the park is outfitted with a full range of modern playground equipment for youngsters to safely amuse themselves as their parents relax on one of the numerous benches that circle the area.

The northeastern section provides an open area of green lawn that can be used for a game of football or simply a weekend picnic in the sun.

Leading from the main gate through the centre of the park and crisscrossing into the other areas, a wide path provides a comfortable place to stroll along in the shade of the trees that border it. Comfortable benches are intermittently placed along the walkway for the visitors who wish to sit and read a book or admire the large planters designed as giant frankincense burners that boast a number of flowering plants.

Hours:
Saturday: closed
Sunday: Women and children only 3pm to 10pm
Monday to Wednesday: All visitors 3pm to 10pm
Thursday and Friday: All visitors 9am to 10pm
GPS location: 40Q 0198 850, 1883253

SOMETHING FOR EVERYONE

Haffa House and Airport Road Walkway

Running parallel to the main street that connects the east and west ends of Salalah and branching off down the airport access road, this green area is frequented every evening by hundreds of exercise enthusiasts. Whether they are hard core athletes training for an event or casual strollers catching up on the day’s gossip, people take advantage of this lengthy circuit that provides a safe and beautiful environment for winding down after a long day.

Hours: Always open

FAMILY SPOT

Sa’adah Park

Situated at the north end of the Sa’adah neighbourhood, this residential park is a favourite evening and weekend spot for families living in this ever-expanding subdivision of Salalah. The park gets heavy traffic and it shows. There is a playground located at the west end of the park and benches and gazebos sporadically placed at the other end to offer visitors a place to sit and enjoy a snack. The park is well treed and provides a lot of shade for people who want to avoid the sun. With a little extra care and maintenance, this park could easily see a return to the grandeur of its original design.

Hours:
Saturday: closed
Sunday: Women and children only 3pm to 10pm
Monday to Wednesday: All visitors 3pm to 10pm
Thursday and Friday: All visitors 9am to 10pm
GPS Location: 40Q 0197 129, 1890015

HAVEN

Ayn Razat

When you need to absolutely get out of the city, you can take a short drive to Ayn Razat. This small park, found 20km outside the town, is located adjacent to one of Salalah’s famous fresh water springs. What the park lacks in size it certainly makes up for in beauty. The manicured lawn is almost golf course-quality and the entire park is elegantly landscaped with flower beds. The most popular one is the celebrated rose garden. A number of enormous trees provide daylong shade for visitors who decide to take a moment to rest during their tour of the park. Ayn Razat’s location at the base of the mountains makes it a perfect place to stop for a picnic after a morning spent cruising along the winding roads of the Dhofar mountain range.

Hours:
Thursday and Friday before sunset
Daily during Khareef
GPS Location: 40Q 0205992, 18 95 967