New parks for West Bank and Gaza – USAID press release/Non-UN document

New Parks for West Bank and Gaza

RAMALLAH, WEST BANK – A grant of $2.0 million provided to the Community Housing Foundation (CHF) will develop new public parks which offer recreation in disadvantaged communities. The American people are financing these recreation areas to improve the quality of life for some 650,000 residents in the West Bank and Gaza with a series of new model parks which integrate cultural, educational, and historical themes.

In March 2005, CHF and the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) established fifteen pocket parks in urban and rural areas, with the cooperation of community leaders. A Steering Committee was formed to include the Ministry of Local Government, Ministry of Planning, Ministry of Housing and Public Works to select beneficiary communities and ensure parks are implemented according to national rules.

This new one-year Parks activity is expected to create or rehabilitate several parks. These exceptional facilities will offer youth the opportunity to learn and create art and music, and will expose children to unique historical experience. The project will also create approximately 35,000 person days of employment;

Architecture students from the Islamic University in Gaza and An-Najah University will assist with the preparation of concept designs. The architecture students are provided practical, professional experience, including exposure to community participation strategies.

Economists consider public parks a sound investment because businesses prefer to open in attractive neighborhoods with parks, which attract families in the mood for socializing and spending.

Since 1993, Palestinians have received more than $1.7 million in U.S. economic assistance via USAID projects – more than from any other donor country.