Fatima Jinnah Park, also known as Capital Park or F-9 Park, is a public recreational park that spans the whole of Sector F-9 of Islamabad, Pakistan. It is named after Mādar-e Millat Fatima Jinnah, the younger sister of the founder of Pakistan Muhammad Ali Jinnah. At, it is just smaller thanNew York'sCentral Park. It was designed by Michael Japero, and it was inaugurated in 1992. Fatima Jinnah Park's vast acreage is mostly covered by greenery, with a few man-made structures dotting the landscape. Most of the park area is effectively a wildlife sanctuary, except for a few areas of the park that are close to residential districts. The park is bounded by a steel fence with entrance doors placed at regular intervals, although only a few are routinely open and used. A further strip of land outside of the fence is lined with a footpath. A well laid network of footpaths lies inside the park, with neat grass and a few statues. The park is known for its wildlife, and the question of further development there divides people in the surrounding communities, many of whom worry that development would jeopardize its untamed feel.
Public uses
The park's open spaces are commonly used for recreational walking and outdoor sports. Occasionally, they are used for driving lessons. The roads in the park are useful in teaching young drivers how to negotiate a few tight turns. Only a few areas of Fatima Jinnah Park are well developed, containing busy clusters of buildings, while other areas rarely see human activity. One of the more developed areas is the Megazone complex, which includes a sports zone with a standard-length swimming pool and tables for table tennis and snooker. The complex also includes facilities for bowling, arcade games, laser tag, and other games; areas for a fast food and dining; and an assortment of shops for clothes, DVDs, and other items. The Supreme Court of Pakistan ordered a McDonald'sfast-food restaurant and several clubs, such as an Aeromodelling Club, that had been operating inside F-9 Park to close down. Yet, as of March 2011, the McDonald's had reopened.
Solar power
Pakistan's largest public park goes solar with 3,400 solar panels installed on an area of around five acres inside the park at a cost of $4.8 million. These panels would generate about 0.85 megawatts of power and have a back-up facility to provide energy to street lights. Funds for the project were provided by the Chinese government as a grant.
Future plans
The Capital Development Authority, which manages the park, has grand plans for the space, which is sometimes called the "sleeping heart" of Islamabad. The issue of the park's development is more pressing now that the people of Islamabad have taken a keen interest in recreational activities. The CDA's proposed future design for the park will include lakes, rock gardens, aquariums, and fountains.
