Najaf’s Sunbula park revitalized after years as a waste dump

NAJAF — The municipality of Najaf has completed the rehabilitation of Sunbula Family Park in the Karama neighborhood, north of the governorate. The park, which spans 6,000 square meters, now features walkways, seating areas, and a variety of recreational facilities for children. The site previously served as a waste dump.

Mohammed Obeid, head of the parks division within Najaf municipality, told 964media, “Sunbula Family Park, located in the Karama neighborhood, has been reopened after being transformed from a waste dump. The park is now ready to welcome families.”

Obeid added that the municipality is planning to make the coming year a “green year” by developing several parks across the province. Seven new parks are expected to open within the next 15 days in neighborhoods including Quds, Makarama, Hussein, Askari, Ghari, the Al-Jamiyah, and Wafa.

Local residents expressed their appreciation for the new developments. Kadhem Shakir, a resident of the Karama neighborhood, said, “Two months ago, this park was just a waste dump with unpleasant odors. Now, it has become a recreational space for families from various areas, as it is conveniently located near the main road leading to northern neighborhoods like Askari and Dora Hindiyah.”

Another local resident, Hakem Sajjad, highlighted the broader impact of the initiative, stating, “It is heartening to see more public parks and green spaces in the province. We hope all vacant areas, often used as waste dumps, can be transformed into parks where we can bring our children to play.”