Al Majaz Waterfront: A unique family destination

Al Majaz Waterfront is an ideal and safe destination for fun, entertainment and relaxation for children and adults alike

The Dh120-million Al Majaz Waterfront, Sharjah Investment and Development Authority’s (Shurooq) debut project, has changed the landscape along the Khalid Lagoon, from a simple stretch of land to an ideal area for recreation for families and tourists alike.

Al Majaz Waterfront boasts of a range of recreational options, ranging from the fun-filled activity centre called Alwan and the 800-square-metre Splash Park, the first-of-its-kind in the region, designed to be completely safe and suitable for children, including easy wheelchair access.

His Highness Dr Shaikh Sultan bin Mohammad Al Qasimi, Member of the Supreme Council and Ruler of Sharjah, inaugurated this unique family entertainment destination in March 2012 in the emirate’s most vital and commercial district on the picturesque Khalid Lagoon.

As Mohammed Fadhil Al Mazroui, destination manager of Al Majaz Waterfront, puts it, “Al Majaz Waterfront is a unique destination that has changed the landscape of Buhaira Corniche with exquisitely designed Maraya Art Park, Splash Park, Mini Golf course, and the amazing musical fountain with 60 shows to entertain families and tourists.”

It has an open-air playground that has been specifically designed to provide a safe environment for kids, including those with special needs, to have fun as well as encourage physical activities.

Indian expatriate Farooq Ali says at night during winter, he takes his family to Al Majaz Waterfront to play with his sons — Ahmed, 10, and Abdul, 13. “I can play with them in the Kids area, Splash Park, Mini-Gulf and anywhere around. It is satisfying, and I thank Shurooq for developing this area with kids and families in mind,” he gushes.

The waterfront also offers a jogging track paved using 6,000 recycled tyres and bicycles for rent. Families and groups of friends can enjoy a round of Mini Golf or a picnic on one of the many lawns planted with environment-friendly grass. Visitors who want to take in the entire waterfront can hop on board the fun family train or take a private abra tour of Sharjah from Al Majaz, or take the waterfront as a major stop along the City Sightseeing Sharjah bus route.

Al Mazroui says a visit to Al Majaz Waterfront would not be complete without taking in one of the performances of the spectacular Sharjah Fountain. “One of the biggest fountains in the Gulf, its cybernetic fountains spanning more than 220 metres perform multiple shows daily with displays combining lasers, light, video, audio and movement. Two sections of the Maraya Art Park can also be found at Al Majaz Waterfront — the Sculpture Park and the Children’s Art Park. It also houses many world-class restaurants and cafes, including T.G.I Friday’s, Caribou Coffee, Fat Burger, Shakespear & Co. Pizzaro, Baja Fresh, Zahr El Laymoun, Tim Hortons café, Cold Stone, and El Manza, all overlooking the Sharjah Fountain, and these will soon be increased by 12 more during the development of Phase 2,” he adds.

He says that the waterfront hosts a range of family-friendly activities such as the annual Superhero Festival, the RIPE Organic weekly market and The Puppets — an exciting entertainment event that celebrates the age-old tradition of the puppet show.

It is also a haven for special needs kids, as it is designed to be safe for them. “Our Splash Park, the first in Sharjah, has zero depth so it is suited for kids, especially the handicapped, to play,” says Al Mazroui.

Mini golf

When it comes to group leisure activities, few can compete with Mini Golf. This scaled-down version of the gentleman’s game can be enjoyed at almost any age, giving grandparents, parents, and the kids an even playing ground on which to test their mettle.

The 18-hole course is the perfect place to come and hone the finer skills of the game and put some basic but highly helpful tips and tricks to the test.

The mini golf course is open from 9am to 12 midnight daily and costs Dh15 a round for children (7-12 years) and Dh25 for adults (12 years and above).

Splash Park

When it comes to fun for the whole family, there is little that can beat a bit of water fun. And, Al Majaz Waterfront’s Splash Park delivers safe and family-friendly fun by the bucket load.

Splash Park is what is called a zero-depth aquatic play area, which means there are no pools and no standing water, making it completely safe for any age group. Children up to the age of 12 are free to enjoy the park’s many fun features that include surprising waterspout sequences and beautiful artistic water patterns — the gushing torrents of water in the shape of flowers are known to be a special favourite.

Mazroui says that another great benefit of this system is that it is easily accessible to children with special needs as well. “With its level, flat base, the park is in fact excellently suited for wheelchair access, something that almost no other water park can claim — which means that no child ever has to be left out of the fun.”

Entry into Splash Park costs Dh30 per child and the park is open daily from 10am to 6pm Saturday to Wednesday, and from 9am to 12 midnight on Thursdays, Fridays, and public holidays.

Alwan

Children can go to the Alwan Children’s Creativity Centre, which offers a social care and learning setting for children to grow and enhance their self-esteem and self-awareness in an interactive children environment.

Inaugurated in November 2012 by Shaikha Bodour bint Sultan Al Qasimi, Chairperson of Shurooq, Alwan boasts of a variety of specially designed areas ranging from an art space, a space designed for handicrafts, a story corner, a computer room, celebration room and sports room.

Parents can bring their kids in for Dh40 for the first hour and an additional Dh20 for the next additional hour. However, children below four years must be accompanied by a guardian. Unaccompanied kids can be brought to Alwan at Dh85 an hour. For the Day Care Programme from Sunday to Thursday, from 9am to 2 pm, for children below four, the fee is Dh1,200 a month.

Sharjah Fountain

The musical fountain is one of the biggest in the Gulf with soaring water high in the air. Installed in the late 1970s, the fountain has become an iconic attraction in Sharjah and continues to fascinate tourists and families alike.

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