It was built over one hundred years ago as a park to rival the world’s best. Today its lakes are filthy, the perimeter lined with garbage, a half-way home for drunks, drug addicts and thieves.

It was built over one hundred years ago as a park to rival the world’s best. Today its lakes are filthy, the perimeter lined with garbage, a half-way home for drunks, drug addicts and thieves.

“I am shocked and I regret I have come,” says one visitor at the entrance to the derelict Cascade Park in Alexandria. “It is full of garbage, thieves and drug addicts. Besides, there are no lights at night except at the cafeteria,” added the Egyptian visitor, who said it is the first time he has visited in years.

Cascade Park was built in 1899, a homage to the works of renowned American landscape architect Frederick Law Olmsted (1822-1903), who used natural terrains in park designs: lakes, hills and water channels. The eight-acre landscape overlooking the historical Abu Qir Street features three lakes, a pelican booth and a variety of trees and rare plants.

Lake to latrine

“Unfortunately, the park has been neglected completely since 2011,” says Zahra Awad, a tour guide and a researcher into Alexandria’s heritage. “The 100-year old trees are not taken care of. Garbage is everywhere and the artificial lake has dried-up. The signs are in a miserable condition. Some even use the archeological fences as latrines, which keeps away tourists,” says Awad. He says Cascade Park features historical monuments that predate the 19th century. “The park includes part of the ancient walls of Alexandria,”added Awad.

The urban oasis was one of the most important in Alexandria and was under the supervision of the Alexandria Municipality (AM) and then the governor. Now, according to Awad, the park is run by three bodies: the Navy is responsible for the cafeteria and the wedding hall, Alexandria Governorate supervises the gardens and the Ministry of Antiquities (MoA) supervises the ancient fences.

Children climb the archeological building while others play football above it, without knowing its historical importance. Syringes abandoned by drug addicts lie on the sand next to the building.

“Thieves and drug addicts”

“The place here is secure, but I cannot guarantee the rest of the park,” says Ashraf Mohammed, a worker in the cafeteria, referring to the high plateaus. “Prior to the revolution, there were eight security members, but now there are none. Besides, the park has no walls. We always catch thieves and drug addicts.”

“I have been always warned of the high plateaus where once a crime was committed,” says an old lady snipping a cup of tea in the cafeteria.

“The park situation has deteriorated as a result of continuous governor succession,” says Ali Morsi, head of Wassat Neighborhood, Where Cascade Park is located. 

Lukewarm prospects

“Several tenders have been offered for the park’s investment by private companies and also a development study, including a security plan, has been conducted by the Faculty of Agriculture in Alexandria in cooperation with the Central Park Authority and Wassat Park Authority,” adds Morsi. He told Correspondents a decision is still being awaited.

Despite the continued decline of the once prestigious Alexandria site, good news may not be far away. “We have plans for the park’s restoration and development,” says a Ministry of Antiquities official who spoke on condition of anonymity. “Signs will be also replaced in cooperation with the Ministry of Tourism.”