King Salman Park

At four times the size of New York City’s Central Park, Riyadh’s King Salman Park will stretch over a 13.4 square kilometre area on the site of the old airport, and will be linked by the bus and metro lines of the city.

Highlights will include Islamic themed and vertical gardens, a labyrinth and a bird and butterfly conservatory, as well as a 7.5 kilometre circular walkway, and an 800,000 square metre “wadi”. The park also will have an arts section that will stretch over a 400,000 square metre area that includes a 2,500-seat national theatre and an 8,000-seat open air theatre. It will also include cinemas, art academies, seven museums and space for parties spanning 40,000 square metres.

It will also include world-class sports facilities, with a 850,000 square metre golf course, a 50,000 square-meter sports complex, a 100,000 square-metre entertainment games area and a 140,000 square-metre water sports section.

As well as 12,000 residential units, the park will boast 16 hotels with 2,300 rooms, a food and retail area stretching over a 500,000 square metre area and libraries.

Source: The National