THE lush green parks, pedestrian paths and cycle tracks across Qatar have become favourite destinations for the residents of Qatar for daily workouts and for spending their leisure time amid the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic.

People can be seen jogging and doing simple physical exercises at the road side parks and green patches here and there across the country, designed and created by the Public Work Authority (Ashghal), in mornings and evenings.

The parks surrounded by flowering trees and boasting comfy walkways and bicycle lanes receive a number of families and children as well. The parks have emerged as the perfect leisure hub.

Speaking to Qatar Tribune, an Asian expatriate who frequently visits the long green stretch near Al Thumama, said it could be compared to any small park in the city.

“It offers big space with some exercise equipment and dedicated lane for cyclists. Overall, it’s a good place to hang out with no restrictions of timing,” he remarked. The long cycling lane parallel to G Ring Road is professional cyclists’ favourite, especially for its shaded midway shelters in this sweltering heat.

It is worth to mention here that the Public Works Authority has launched an ambitious nationwide beautification project that aims to rejuvenate the countries green spaces by 240 percent by 2022.

Nearly 2,650 kilometres of pathway for pedestrians and cyclists and 10 million square kilometres of green spaces are to be created as part of this ambitious project.

Ashghal has also launched a project titled ‘Qatar beautification and our kids planting trees’ that attributes 5,800 square metres Al Abraj Park with 130 trees, 240 square metres area covered with bush and 3,530 square metres of lawn area.