NEW LOOK, ENUGU STATE UNITY PARK, formerly known as Forest Reserve, adjacent to Michael Okpara Square, Independent Layout, Enugu State, southeast Nigeria, is aimed by Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi, at realizing his administration objective to drive urban renewal, and transform the state into tourist destination.
The Unity Park for leisure relaxation and recreation, Enugu State government says, is responding to the gap in the lifestyle of the people of the Coal City; and transforming the center into tourist attraction, as well as, investing in tourism to make the state tourist hub in the country.
Ugwuanyi’s administration envisages that the Unity Park would attract tourists to the state, diversify the economy and create employment for the youth. The Park has reinforced concrete pedestrian walkway measuring about 1.9 kilometers, and monument concrete roaring lion sculpture measuring 42 feet high.
The Park has four feet-deep water ponds measuring about 1500 square meters, said to be deep enough to offer hydro-dynamics boat rides. There are sheltered relaxation areas, play area for children with swings and sand dunes. The Park is illuminated with 400 lamps powered both by national grid and solar energy; and other conveniences suitable for tourists.
Inaugurating the Park in May 2021, Governor Ugwuanyi said the serene ambience of the part, makes it a good place to be, relax and reflect. He assured the public that his administration would guarantee adequate maintenance and cleanliness of the part, as well as security of the visitors.
Ugwuanyi said: “The tourism potential of the Coal City was sub-optimised in the past and its ambience challenged as residents yearned for a new paradigm. Our administration responded to this yawning gap in the Coal City lifestyle by approving the development of the Unity Park, Enugu, in October 2019.
“It was widely believed that the sculpture of a giant roaring lion at the park currently questions the existing world records on lion sculpture. My administration has applied to World Records Organizations to review this and allocate to us our rightly place in world history”, the governor added.
