Rafha Sports Walkways: A destination for fasting individuals to promote health during Ramadan

An initiative to promote public health during Ramadan

With the arrival of the holy month of Ramadan, the walking trails in Rafha Governorate are witnessing a remarkable influx of citizens and residents, who find them a safe and well-equipped space for walking and maintaining their physical activity. These facilities, with a total area exceeding 172,500 square meters, represent part of the municipality's efforts to promote healthy lifestyles and provide a vibrant community environment, especially during this blessed month when daily routines change.

Project background and strategic objectives

The development of these walkways and green spaces in Rafha comes within a broader context aligned with the goals of the Kingdom’s Vision 2030, specifically the Quality of Life Program, which aims to improve the lifestyle of individuals and families and build a society where its members enjoy a balanced way of life. Infrastructure projects in Saudi cities are no longer limited to basic services but have expanded to include recreational and sports facilities that contribute to overall well-being and public health. Investing in such projects in cities like Rafha reflects the state’s commitment to achieving balanced development across all regions of the Kingdom and providing residents with diverse options to enhance their physical and social activity.

The importance of walkways and their impact on society

The importance of these walkways lies in their multifaceted impact. Locally, they provide free and accessible spaces for everyone to exercise, contributing to the fight against sedentary diseases such as obesity and diabetes. They have also become social gathering places that strengthen community bonds in a spiritual Ramadan atmosphere. On a broader scale, the success of the Rafha experience offers a model that can be implemented in other governorates, emphasizing that improving quality of life is not limited to major cities. These facilities contribute to making the city more attractive to residents and visitors, indirectly supporting local development.

Details of integrated facilities and services

The sports walkways in Rafha are distributed across several vital locations to ensure easy access from various residential neighborhoods, the most prominent of which include:

• The Zubaydah Road Walkway: It stretches 2,500 meters in length and 12 meters in width, covering a total area of ​​30,000 square meters. It is adorned with over 350 large trees and 13,500 small shrubs, in addition to seating areas for visitors.
• The pedestrian walkway adjacent to the North International Road: It is the largest, with an area of ​​up to 100,000 square meters, and is supported by green spaces, paved sidewalks and more than 400 parking spaces.
• Prince Sultan Bin Abdulaziz Road Walkway: It extends for 1,500 meters in both directions and is 50 meters wide, with an area of ​​37,500 square meters.
• The pedestrian track in King Fahd Park: It is located inside the park, which has an area of ​​42,000 square meters, and the track covers an area of ​​5,000 square meters of it.

A number of visitors to these walkways confirmed that walking, whether before breakfast or after Taraweeh prayers, is one of the best activities to do during fasting to maintain fitness and renew energy, praising the municipality’s efforts in providing these integrated facilities that serve all segments of society.