Karadah Leaders with U.S. Battalion Plan to Renovate Water Park

Photo By Spc. Courtney Marulli | The Jadriyah Water Park in the Karadah District of eastern Baghdad, shown Nov. 10 was once a flourishing site but was closed to the public during Saddam Hussein's regime. Members of 2nd Battalion, 69th Combined Arms Battalion, are heading up a renovation effort to restore the park to its former state for all Iraqis to enjoy.  

BAGHDAD, IRAQ

11.23.2007

Story by Spc. Courtney Marulli 

2nd Stryker Brigade Combat Team, 2nd Infantry Division

By Spc. Courtney E. Marulli
2nd BCT, 2nd Inf. Div. Public Affairs

BAGHDAD — Where a thriving lake once was is now a wasteland of shrubs, and the slides and swings are devoid of laughing children. But this will change. With the help of coalition forces the disserted park, which was used only by Saddam Hussein and his chosen few, will be renovated and opened for all Iraqis to enjoy.

Soldiers with 2nd Battalion, 69th Combined Arms Battalion, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 2nd Infantry Division, have joined Karadah District leaders and business owners in planning the revitalization of the Jadriyah Water Park in eastern Baghdad. There are plans for a groundbreaking ceremony on Jan. 1, 2008.

"We had some engineers from the district council come look at the area with us," said Sgt. 1st Class Daniel See, a 2-69 CAB fire support Soldier who hails from Columbus, Ga. "We had cooperation from a lot of different sources. We have some contractors who want to do various improvements."

Those improvements include fixing the power supply, restoring a fountain, cleaning up monuments, and bringing restaurants and shops back to the surrounding area.

Capt. Joseph Peppers, a battalion fire support officer and effects coordinator for the battalion, is helping spearhead the project. He feels the revitalization is important because it will provide Iraqis with a place of recreation where they can take a break from the demands of their daily lives and enjoy being with family and friends.

"It will allow them to feel that peace is achievable and that the government of Iraq really does have something to offer the people," he said. "It's a symbol of the Iraqi people's resiliency."

There is plenty of work left to do. Faded from years in the sun, the playground equipment is chipped, broken, and rusted. The new equipment will be brightly-colored slides, swings and bridges.

Broken-down ovens and popcorn stands mark where restaurants once thrived. The lake had several restaurants spread along its perimeter and even offered Jet Ski rental. The Jet Skis are currently faded and covered in dirt in a large pile at the edge of the lake. A speed boat stands in the shallow water remaining, stuck part way on shore.

Peppers said the renovations are projected to take up to a year to complete. Once complete, the water park will be under the control of the government of Iraq and will open to the public for the first time.

"It's a representation of a restored Iraq and an improving Iraq," he said. "It will act as a beacon of hope for the people of Baghdad and the people of Iraq."

The renovations will be conducted by local contractors. Currently, the park is being used by Iraqi families as a place to play soccer or to use the few pieces of playground equipment that do still work, such as swings.

The park's restoration is vital because it is tangible proof of Iraq's growth, Peppers said.

"It's also important to the coalition forces because it's important to the people of Iraq," he said. "In some ways the restoration of this park and the ability of the local populace to see it and use it, symbolizes their liberty from a tyrant who would never let them see something that beautiful up close."

• Date Taken: 11.23.2007
• Date Posted: 11.26.2007 15:43
• Story ID: 14144
• Location: BAGHDAD, IQ