Qurum Natural Park - Chirping Birds and a Paradise

A thought to begin with: 

"Nature surrounds us from parks and backyards to street and alleyways. Next time you go out for a walk, tread gently and remember we are both inhabitants and stewards of nature in our neighborhoods." Scientist David Suzuki

The above quote by the Canadian Scientist David Suzuki is very true in today's context. We are responsible for our natural surroundings. We have to live with them and nurture them too. This post is not just about a beautiful park in Oman, but I also want to highlight how every park, gardens and other green patches here are taken care of extensively by the Municipality. I have seen gardeners religiously tending to the plants, pruning, cutting and watering them regularly. Though the climatic conditions are harsh here, the green patches are minutely observed and taken care of on a daily basis. People here are responsible and keep their surroundings clean by not littering. A green space is an important breathing space woven into the urban fabric and needs to be nurtured.

Al Qurum Natural Park 

A Sketch of the Gazebo in Qurum Natural Park

We had heard a lot about this park called Qurum Natural Park, but had never been there due to the hot weather in Muscat. And then one fine day it was my daughter who insisted we take her to a park. So that evening a trip to the park was planned. Passing by the Qurum Beach road we took a turn towards our right and within a few kilometres we reached the park. It was a holiday and the parking lot was crowded. After a long wait for about 15min we finally got a parking space.

The entrance to the garden looked like a huge fort like structure with crenellations on the top and rose murals adorned the walls. The garden is also called Rose garden and it is said that the garden is filled with roses during the winter season. However we made our visit in the month of September hence we couldn't find a single rose due to the hot weather.

The large fort like entrance

The rose mural on the entrance walls

As we entered the park we were pleasantly surprised to find so much of green space. The park was interspersed with green manicured lawns, large trees including the date palms, beautifully designed flower beds, various pavilions, water fountains and shaded kiosks for relaxing. 

A colorful plan highlighting the prime areas of the garden was distributed at some intervals to guide the visitors. The Qurum Natural Park was opened in 1993 and it is the largest park in Muscat, spread over an area of 400 acres. 

The Plan of the Qurum Natural Park

Moving ahead from the park entrance

The weather was hot and we perspired all the same. As we proceeded further we found play areas for kids with colorful slides and swings. My daughter had found her destination for the day. And she would not budge from there. After several attempts of sliding up & down and running around, we finally moved ahead.

Slides for the kids

Further ahead we found a star shaped fountain. 

The star-shaped fountain

Moving ahead we came across an amphi-theatre space with a central fountain and surrounded by beautiful screens and floral beds. On one side an entry led to the Marah Land (Marah means city of joy) - a fun land for kids with various rides. Marah land has more than 28 special rides and games for kids of all age groups. It was with great difficulty that I had to steer away my daughter's attention from this place. And we moved further to explore the natural beauty of the garden.

The floral bed

The amphi-theatre space with fountain

Entry to Marah Land

The beautiful screen

Another entrance led us towards the lake. The lake was surrounded with beautiful gazebos   covered with golden domes. There was a jogging track around the lake and we found several people walking and jogging around. Being a holiday the entire park was crowded with people - some playing with their kids, some having picnics, some hanging out with their  friends, while some just relaxing on the green lawns. 

The gazebos overlooking the lake

The golden dome over the gazebo

After circling the entire lake we found the dancing fountains. The fountains went on after every 30 minutes. 

The Dancing Fountains

There was another lake theatre where we saw some children practising skate boarding. The theatre is said to have a seating capacity of more than 3,000 and is known to be one of the largest public theatre in Oman. It is said that a lot of major public events took place here due to its strategic location in the park. Being located in the interiors and surrounded by the greens it remains cooler during the summers and is unaffected by the noise from the outside. 

After a tiresome walk around the lake we settled down and had tea and snacks from one of the several food stalls out there in the garden. There was a signboard which showed free wi-fi connection but we didn't try to check it out. We were very happy to find this beautiful green garden in a desert land. There were lots of flowers all around including cannas, periwinkles, bougainvilleas and basil bushes. And all the while, we had the company of the chirping birds. 

The orange canna flowers

The yellow canna flowers

'Qurum' is the Arabic word for Mangrove. On the farthest corner of the garden, there is an artificial waterfall. The continuous waterfall has formed an ecosystem of grass and wetland. This is a home to several birds such as the Egrets, Cormorant, red wattled Plover and black winged Stilt. We spotted some crows and cormorants. But if you are lucky enough and visit this park early in the morning in the months of Winter, you may spot most of these birds. Actually this park can also be called a bird watcher's paradise.

Qurum park has been designed beautifully using the natural topographic features of the area to create a comfortable space for all the visitors. What is more I admired the intricate details put in each of its structure beginning from the sculpted floral beds, the lamp posts, the colorful pavements, the lights, the wooden trellis holding flowering creepers, the gazebos surrounding the lake, various sit-outs, the waterfalls, and the small elements including the trash bins.

The trellis holding creepers

Covered sit-outs in the park

Different types of Decorative flower beds in the park

The base of the lamp posts

The lamp posts along the walk ways

The floral motif carved on the lake walls 

The fountain lights 

The lights and the entrance canopy to Marah Land

The flooring pattern of the paved area in the amphitheatre

A lot of activities take place in this park from hosting international exhibitions to fashion shows, exhibition pavilions and walk/jog for a cause and so on.

Qurum Natural Park is synonymous with green landscapes, beautiful floral beds, tweeting of the birds, water fountains and yes it is a jogger's paradise. We were surprised to find beautifully manicured lawns and a well maintained park in the middle of a desert land and wondered why we hadn't discovered it earlier. It was like an oasis in the desert. This is the place to be if you are looking for peace and serenity and at the same time you are not alone as chirping birds will accompany you all along the way.

The chirping birds and the greens inspired me to write a few lines. So here it is:

Chirping Birds and a Paradise

Sitting by the lake as I swayed my legs,
My heart fluttered with the chirping birds.
In a green paradise with the bird's song,
Nothing would possibly go wrong.
The sweet smell of bushes drifted with the wind,
I looked at the greens and foolishly grinned.
Stirred by the birds singing,
A voice in my ears ringing.
My eyes glistened like that of a new bride,
A paradise was simply brushed aside.
The lights reflected in the lake,
Umpteen promises you make.
The dark sky glimmered with a thousand stars,
Come dawn and they too shall disappear.