US, Iraq renovating Baghdad amusement park

U.S. troops and Iraqis have joined forces in bringing back Baghdad Island, the once-premiere amusement park in Baghdad. The project is part of a U.S.-led initiative to bring back some sense of normalcy to the war-torn area.

The park, located just off the Tigris River, cost Iraqis only a symbolic 250 dinars (about 10 cents) to enter. The complex was a popular place for weddings, celebrations and other gatherings. That came to an end once the looting began in the wake of the 2003 invasion of the city.

Local citizens have not been able to access the amusement park since the start of the invasion. Abdul-Zahra al-Talaqani, a spokesperson for Iraq's ministry of tourism and antiquities, told the Associated Press: "U.S. troops were based near the island and had the area blocked off. Moreover it was very hard to reach the island because it was surrounded by volatile areas."

American forces are helping to restore water pumps and electricity to the park while Iraqi workers remove garbage and clean the lake. This initiative is only the first phase of the renovation.

Qahtan al-Jubouri, the Iraqi minister in charge of tourism, said he hopes the restoration will be completed by the end of 2009, stating: "This island was and God willing will be again one of the big and important amusement parks in the capital Baghdad."