Amal Al-Sibai

Saudi Gazette

When it comes to passing leisure time in the Kingdom, for most families their day out during the weekends is usually confined to an exquisite restaurant and a trip to the mall. Fine dining can be interesting if you try foods from different cultures, but over time it becomes redundant and boring, especially for children, and eating out regularly is directly linked with weight gain.



The glum truth is that there are not a whole lot of diverse options for recreation provided by the municipalities of most cities in the Kingdom, and those that are existent need to be better known to the public so that more people can make use of them.



Walking is one of the best activities that can improve our health and it does not require enrolling in an expensive state-of-the-art gym. Walking strengthens the heart, lowers blood pressure and cholesterol levels, reduces risks for heart disease, stroke, and diabetes, prevents weight gain, osteoporosis, and colon cancer, and it gives you energy and makes you feel happy.



New walkways are being laid down, even as you read this, in Jeddah, Riyadh, and the Eastern Province. One of the newest walking paths in Jeddah has signs posted up with measurements of exactly how many meters you have walked so that you can keep track of your fitness progress.



The Saudi Gazette spotted many health enthusiasts, old and young, trekking the newly lit walkway behind Tahlia Street. Some were jogging, running, fast walking, a couple moms were pushing their little ones in strollers, some were listening to music, others held rosary beads between their fingers as they walked, and kids were on bicycles, skates, and scooters.



Ahmad Muhammad walks for an hour and a half every day; his goals are to maintain a healthy weight and keep his cholesterol levels within the normal range.



“It feels great. I can walk in an open area, catch some sunshine before sunset, clear my mind, and get all the health benefits of walking; free of costs,” he said.



Although such initiatives are a cause for optimism, Jeddah residents are strongly demanding more public parks, playgrounds, and sports fields for the youth that are clean, well-maintained, and open to all. The municipality has recently started erecting playgrounds but there is still a marked shortage of such facilities, which should be available to communities in almost every residential district.



“We want more public parks that have basketball and volleyball courts and soccer fields that welcome young men to play sports and remain active. With not many healthier and more intellectually stimulating alternatives provided by the city, we cannot place all the blame on young men who idly waste their time at Internet cafés, coffee shops, restaurants, and malls. Not everyone can afford memberships at the expensive private gyms or academic extracurricular courses or private youth clubs,” said Tayseer Zain, 18.



“I have an intense passion for tennis but there are virtually no public tennis courts where I can practice my hobby,” added Omar Al-Ghalib Al-Shareef, 16.



On the importance of neighborhood parks, director of Friends of Jeddah Parks and sociology major, Mayan Al-Zawawi said, “Several studies on the impact of parks in societies revealed astounding results.

Crime rates in the areas fell, as did violence, drug abuse, and damage to public properties. The youth in the area improved academically and there was a higher sense of awareness on many social and health issues.”



One unique suggestion from Hadya Al-Mahdi was that city municipalities should pave way for safe and clear hiking trails on the foothills of the greener and cooler parts of the Kingdom for residents and tourists, such as in Taif, Hada, Al-Shifa, Al-Baha, and Abha.



“We definitely need more public places where adolescents can release their teeming energy, spend their time in a safe and productive way, stay physically active, and also nurture their hobbies and creativity,” said Al-Mahdi, research assistant at Princess Al-Jawhara Center of Excellence in Research of Hereditary Disorders.



Public libraries in the United States are not merely places where students can read and borrow books, but they are equivalent to a social hub for children. There are a plethora of fun activities offered to children free of charge as long as they are library members (again, yearly membership is free), such as story times, puppet shows, plays, spelling bees, story writing competitions, and art contests.



Non-native English speakers can attend classes that teach English as a second language. Going to the library is a treat for the whole family and it provides an environment where children will gain a love of reading and learning that will last a lifetime. In any community, the library is a great place where college students can volunteer or work.



“There are no public libraries in Jeddah where we can find a quiet place to study outside the home or make use of books, references, and encyclopedias to prepare our school research papers, rather than using the Internet as our only source of finding information,” said Khalid Al-Ghalib Al-Shareef, 14.



Another complaint from Saudi residents is that public museums in the Kingdom are lacking in number and popularity and there is a large gap to fill in for art, history, science, and cultural museums.



Prince Salman Science Oasis located in the Diplomatic Quarter in Riyadh is an exemplary science museum that is a must-see if you go to the capital city and it should be replicated in every town in the Kingdom.

The exhibits are educational and they range in areas of natural science, chemical experiments, physics and robotics, and space discoveries, with plenty of hands-on games for children to play and learn at the same time. Entry is free for children under the age of seven, and only SR5 per person above the age of seven years.



A non-profit organization, Prince Salman Science Oasis is dedicated to developing an interactive science center, which aims to improve public awareness of science and promote scientific knowledge and its practical application for peace and the benefit of mankind. The science center’s main goals are to provide a stimulating experience in exploring science, technology, and outer space for visitors of all ages and to improve science literacy in the society and inspire young students to pursue careers in science.



Another great place, Fakieh Aquarium, opened last year on Jeddah’s coastline and it offers a wonderful learning experience of the amazing creatures of the sea. Some say that it is expensive, but most agree that it is worthwhile. Fakieh Aquarium is privately owned and its tremendous success, positive feedback from the community, and the exponential revenue that it is generating should be enough impetus for both the private and government sector to invest in recreational venues for families and youth that are health promoting, educational, and intellectually enriching at the same time, rather than opening up more restaurants, shopping malls, and amusement rides that add no real human value to society.