Riyadh is Getting the World’s Largest Urban Park

Riyadh is about to paint its skyline green. In a city surrounded by desert, King Salman Park will transform a former air base into what will become one of the world’s largest urban parks, covering over 17 square kilometres once completed.

While plans for the park were first announced in 2019, the space will begin opening itself to visitors incrementally beginning in 2026. Positioned 20 minutes away from King Khalid International Airport, the park will be connected to the city through a series of new metro stations.

The scale of the project is central to its ambition. To put it in perspective, King Salman Park is set to be five times bigger than Central Park in New York City. Within this vast expanse of land, nearly a million trees are said to be planted, supported by an irrigation system that treats and reuses the city’s wastewater. Renewable energy will power lighting throughout the grounds, while engineered soil layers beneath the surface are designed to retain water and lower surrounding temperatures - creating a natural cooling effect needed in one of the world’s hottest capitals.

Along the park’s perimeter will be a seven-kilometre pedestrian and cycling path known as 'The Loop'. This circuit will weave through rolling hills and shaded valleys populated by hundreds of native and imported plant species to encourage biodiversity in a climate not typically associated with forests.

After getting lost in the greenery of The Loop, visitors can head to the 'Art Park': an expansive arts district within the park featuring outdoor installations, exhibition spaces, and a 2,500-seat amphitheatre for performances. Multiple museums will find their home within King Salman’s Park, including a museum of architecture, anchoring the space in design.

Beyond being a hub for greenery and culture, the project promises sports facilities, public plazas, squares, and residential and retail areas that will be integrated into the open landscape.