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AMMAN — In conjunction with His Majesty King Abdullah’s visit to Zarqa on Tuesday, Royal Court Chief Yousef Issawi inaugurated the rehabilitated Arab Bank Park and the Abdul Hameed Shoman Foundation library, implemented under Royal directives in partnership with the Arab Bank.
The project followed repeated demands by local residents during the King’s visits and outreach meetings in the governorate, the Jordan News Agency, Petra, reported.
The park, originally established more than 25 years ago, underwent comprehensive redevelopment to become a model for cooperation between Royal initiatives and the private sector under corporate social responsibility frameworks.
Issawi toured the park and library facilities in the presence of Zarqa Governor Firas Abu Qaoud, Arab Bank CEO Randa Sadik, Zarqa Municipality Committee head Khaled Khashman and Shoman Foundation CEO Valentina Qussisiya, along with other officials.
The project includes a modern two-storey library building featuring multi-purpose halls, dedicated spaces for youth and children, and full accessibility for persons with disabilities.
The park also includes advanced children’s play areas, walking paths and service facilities, with Zarqa Municipality set to manage and operate the site to ensure sustainability.
Royal initiatives in Zarqa have prioritised the development and rehabilitation of public parks, resulting in the establishment and upgrading of 18 parks and recreational spaces across the governorate, including in Hashmiya and Prince Mohammad neighbourhoods.
Among key projects is the environmental park in Russeifa, inaugurated by King Abdullah in 2023 as part of a broader rehabilitation project. The park spans 76 dunums and features sports fields, picnic areas, walking trails and public amenities, with 15,000 trees planted, in addition to a surrounding 100-dunum area with around 3,000 trees.
The project transformed the area from a source of pollution into a vital public space for residents, representing a successful model of environmentally driven development.
In remarks to the press, Issawi said that the renovated park and library represent a vital recreational and cultural landmark serving residents of Zarqa across all age groups.
He added that the project aligns with the King’s directives to improve public services and provide educational and recreational environments that enhance quality of life.
Issawi highlighted the project as a leading example of effective partnership between Royal initiatives and the public and private sectors, underscoring the key role of corporate social responsibility in advancing community development.
