Indian expatriate Arun often takes his young son to Souq Waqif park. Right: Nepalese expat Bagindra uses the fitness facility at Souq Waqif park. PICTURES: Joey Aguilar

By Joey Aguilar/Staff Reporter


Doha’s  parks with fitness facilities and playgrounds have become popular destinations for families even during the summer.
For Indian expatriate Arun, the Souq Waqif park provides a relaxing environment for his family especially during weekends.
“It is in the heart of the city, very accessible and just across the Doha Corniche where we can engage in walking,” said the Doha resident who regularly takes his young son, Saaranj to the playground.
Arun lauded the park’s initiative to put up fitness equipment for the public. Nepalese national Bagindra observed that many people benefit from the free use of the facilities. The 50-year-old expatriate worker said he spends his weekend at the park, to work out on the fitness equipment.
Then, he would walk for 30 minutes on the Doha Corniche, before heading home for dinner.
Bagindra believes that such facilities which are also set up on the Corniche and other parks such as Aspire have “served their purpose well in raising awareness on the importance of doing regular exercise.”
Like other expatriates who have spent a couple of years in Qatar, he said parks have served as recreation centres to many families and individuals like him.
He cited the Museum of Islamic Art park’s unique C shape design and its stunning building, Aspire Zone’s greenery, and the small yet well-visited park along Airport Road.
He added that the park near Sheraton Doha was also one of the favourite parks of residents. “Since I don’t have extra money to pay fitness centres, going to these lovely parks is more practical,” Bagindra said.
For Kitesh D N, also an Indian national, the huge parking facility at Souq Waqif park is convenient than any other park in Doha.
“All parks are good but I really like the way this underground parking was designed and built,” he said. Kitesh spends his weekend at the park with his young daughter and wife.
The park which can accommodate at least 2,000 vehicles also features a bike lane, an amphitheatre, a fountain and a pedestrian tunnel to Souq Waqif. It is equipped with a number of security features such as CCTV cameras to monitor incoming and outgoing vehicles.