Having missed the previously
announced date to reopen Children’s Park to the public, Ulaanbaatar Mayor
G.Munkhbayar has now announced that people will be able to visit the partially
renovated park, under renovation for three years, before Naadam. It was
expected to be ready before Children’s Day on June 1. MNT 18 billion has so far
been spent on redesigning this major attraction in Ulaanbaatar, formally known
as The National Recreation and Amusement Center, and another MNT12 million is
likely to be needed before the work is over. No final date has yet been set for
this.

The redesigning has been the responsibility of a company specially formed for
the purpose. Bodi Properties owns 74 percent of its shares and the Government
the rest. Apart from outdoor activities and attractions, there will be many
features to encourage visits during the winter months.

There is one snag. The Union of Democratic Forces, an NGO recently floated by
some Democratic Party leaders to “reform the country”, has written to the Mayor
asking for a cancellation of several deals that gave away parts of the park to
private businesses. The park has been the largest amusement center in
Ulaanbaatar and once covered more than 30 percent of the city’s green space.
After land parcels were sold to businesses, office premises, apartment
buildings, and hotels have begun being built there. The NGO charges most of the
deals were illegal.