Dubai Parks and Resorts landscaping program bringing greenery to the desert

The development of Dubai Parks and Resorts is bringing lush vegetation to its desert destination with the acquisition of 15,860 trees, 6,100 palms and over 1.4 million shrubs and groundcovers plants.

In preparation for its opening in October 2016, planting has already begun at what will be the Arabian Gulf’s largest integrated theme-park destination, with an on-site nursery also established to house and nurture the remaining greenery.

A wide variety of plants will be found throughout the grounds of Dubai Parks and Resorts to ensure that visitors feel welcomed and rejuvenated by their natural surroundings.

More than 376 different plant species have been sourced locally, as well as from Spain, Italy, Thailand, India and China to enhance the three theme parks and adjoining properties: motiongate™ Dubai, Bollywood Parks™ Dubai, LEGOLAND® Dubai together with LEGOLAND® Water Park. These will all be connected by Riverland™ Dubai, the retail, dining and entertainment gateway to the resort. The destination will also feature the Lapita™ Hotel, a Polynesian-themed resort catering to families.

So far, over 350 Washingtonia palms have been planted with over 3,650 being tended to in the nursery. In addition, different sizes of the red flowering Delonix tree can be found throughout the grounds, with heights ranging from nearly 1.8 meters to an impressive 8 metres.

Dubai Parks and Resorts has committed to picking unique items to ensure a truly immersive experience. One example of this is a remarkable collection of 14 eight meter tall olive trees ranging between the ages of 200 and 300 years that have been imported from Italy. Sourced from various plantations in Tuscany as well as the South of Italy, the oldest three are believed to be over 300 years old. Abandoned due to their age and lack of producing olives, they will find their new home at motiongate™ Dubai.

Dubai Parks and Resorts Chief Projects Officer Paul La France explains “we are very pleased to see that Dubai Parks and Resorts’ landscape is taking shape as the plants begin to arrive.

“Our staff have been working relentlessly to create a beautiful and welcoming environment where all guests can take in the striking sights, immerse themselves in the unique settings and have an altogether unforgettable experience.”

The nursery, which is part of the back of house operations, is almost two million square feet and has the capacity to house over 15,000 trees and palms and more than 900,000 shrubs and groundcovers as the project progresses. The nursery also has four greenhouses with a capacity of more than 100,000 pots each.

The nursery also has an administration and central command area where inventory and operations are monitored. This area also includes four greenhouses for plant propagation, three storage tanks for irrigation, six shade areas, two hot houses, numerous open growing and holding areas, and much more. To minimise the level of waste, there is a composting area to make the best use of natural resources.

Dubai Parks and Resorts also has an onsite water treatment plant which it expects to provide up to 30% of the treated water needs for the resort once open. The plant means that waste water can be efficiently treated on-site and reused for landscaping; it is just one part of Dubai Parks and Resorts’ sustainability policy to ensure reduced water usage, and a part of its commitment to protecting the environment.

For more information go to www.dubaiparksandresorts.com

Images: 300 year-old olive trees have been imported from Italy for the attraction (top) and how Dubai Parks and Resorts will look from the air (below).

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