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Photos: Zabeel Park turns 20; how attraction has grown to host Dubai's biggest celebrations
For many, the park is a nostalgic reminder of their childhood and school picnics
On any given evening, Zabeel Park reflects a familiar Dubai story — children playing, joggers running around the pathways, families seated on picnic mats and people using the barbecue facilities. Today, the iconic park turns 20.
For many, the park is a nostalgic reminder of their childhood and school picnics. Beyond that, Zabeel Park has played host to several high-profile events and tourist attractions. From being home to the Dubai Frame and Dinosaur Park to hosting the Dubai Yoga, which marked the finale of Dubai Fitness Challenge, the park has been at the heart of the city’s biggest celebrations.
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Here is a throwback of how the park has grown in the last 20 years:
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Walk down memory lane
Zabeel Park, the Gulf’s first technology-based recreational theme park, opened to the public 20 years ago, marking a key moment in Dubai’s urban development. Built at a cost of Dh200 million, the park was conceived as a modern public space aimed at boosting domestic and international tourism while offering residents a new leisure destination.
The park was inaugurated on December 27, 2005, by the late Sheikh Hamdan bin Rashid Al Maktoum, then Deputy Ruler of Dubai and UAE Minister of Finance and Industry. Senior government officials, including Qassim Sultan, Director-General of Dubai Municipality, attended the opening ceremony.
Located near the Dubai World Trade Centre, Zabeel Park spans 47.5 hectares and was divided into three zones connected by pedestrian bridges, including a distinctive cable bridge that later became one of its defining features. The park’s technology-focused design reflected Dubai’s ambitions at the time to position itself as a regional centre for innovation and information technology.
When it opened, Zabeel Park featured exhibition centres, food courts, an amphitheatre, sports facilities, a cricket pitch and a large ornamental boating lake offering pedal and battery-powered boats. Educational and recreational attractions were organised into themed zones focusing on alternative energy, communications and technology, alongside a Space Maze inspired by the planetary system.
Over the years, the park evolved into one of Dubai’s most frequented public spaces. It became popular for jogging, family picnics, barbeques, children’s play areas and community gatherings. During Eid holidays and major public events, Zabeel Park emerged as a central meeting point for residents from across the emirate.
With an entry fee of Dh5, the park maintained its accessibility while expanding its role as a recreational and social hub in the city.
During the extended Eid Al Adha holiday weekend, Dubai’s five major public parks attracted more than 200,000 visitors, according to a senior parks official. Zabeel Park recorded the highest turnout, with as many as 22,000 visitors on its first day of opening to the public.
Ismail Al Banna, Assistant Director of the Public Parks and Horticulture Department at Dubai Municipality, told Khaleej Times that the park experienced an exceptionally high footfall.
Zabeel Park was divided into three plots measuring approximately 281,000 square metres, 162,000 square metres and 22,000 square metres, all interlinked by pedestrian bridges.
Facilities included a mega bowl with terraced seating for up to 2,000 people, used for exhibitions and public events, as well as a mini-cricket playground with a standard pitch and outfield. A synthetic jogging track surrounded the park, complemented by landscaped green areas featuring date palm trees and water fountains.
Expanding attractions
Glow to the park
In December 2015, Dubai Garden Glow was inaugurated at Area B of Zabeel Park. Developed at a cost of Dh30 million, the 40-acre seasonal attraction featured more than four million energy-efficient lights and installations created using recycled materials. The attraction, themed 'Art by Day, Glow by Night', added a new dimension to the park’s offerings and attracted families and visitors during the winter season.
Framing the view
Another major addition came on the first day of 2018 with the opening of Dubai Frame. Situated within Zabeel Park, the landmark offered visitors panoramic views of old and modern Dubai from a 150-metre sky glass bridge, alongside immersive galleries highlighting the city’s past, present and future.
The opening drew large crowds and further reinforced Zabeel Park’s role as a focal point for both recreation and landmark attractions in Dubai.
Thanweeruddin Mohammad
Thanweeruddin Mohammad oversees KT research and photo desk. Aside from his daily activities in the newsroom, he is also a fitness enthusiast who loves playing cricket and other outdoor games.
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