On Tuesday, May 21st, 2024, Sasan Awni, the Minister of Municipalities and Tourism, alongside the Deputy Governors of Erbil, the Mayor of Erbil, and supervising engineers, laid the foundation stone for Rashkin Park. The park, which covers 120,000 square meters, will be developed in two phases at a total cost of 15 billion dinars.
Minister Awni highlighted the project’s significance, stating, “We promised that Rashkin Park would become a model green space. Thanks to the support of Masrour Barzani, President of the Kurdistan Regional Government, we’ve secured the necessary funding from his office. After reviewing several designs, we’ve chosen the best one, and today marks the beginning of this exciting project.”
The first phase of development, with a budget of 6.8 billion dinars, will include the construction of 1,600 meters of fencing, car parking areas, two cafeterias, walking and bicycle paths, two water reservoirs with a 300-cubic-meter capacity, and the drilling of two artesian wells, each 300 meters deep. The phase will also feature electrical and lighting systems, along with extensive agricultural work, greenery, and the planting of tens of thousands of trees and plants.
Karzan Abdulhadi, Mayor of Erbil, stated that work on the park is progressing rapidly, with 10% of the project already completed. “Once finished, Rashkin Park will become one of the most beautiful parks in Erbil,” he said. The park will also include a modern fountain at its center and will offer 65,000 square meters of green space. Notably, all workers involved in the project are local to the Kurdistan Region.
Upon completion, Rashkin Park will not only increase the green space in Erbil but will also become the city’s second-largest park, enhancing both its environmental and aesthetic appeal.