Project Overview
In 2019, The Heracles Group—working with the Syrian Foundation for Sustainable
Development, Raqqa Civil Council, and the People’s Municipality—returned Jawad Anzour
Park from a conflict-scarred lot to the city’s liveliest public space. Crews cleared war-damaged
debris and overgrowth, repaved walkways, installed Aleppo-stone benches, modern playground
equipment, reliable lighting, and a new cultural mural—turning a symbol of destruction into a
safe, welcoming hub for families in Raqqa.
The problem
Years of street fighting left Raqqa almost devoid of safe green spaces; children played in rubble, and families had nowhere to gather, eroding social cohesion and psychosocial well-being.
Our Solution: “Revive. Reclaim. Reconnect.”
- Safe play & relaxation: 6 new playground sets, 22 durable benches.
- Access & lighting: repaved paths plus 10 refurbished lamp-posts enable night-time use.
- Community identity: 300 m of perimeter fencing retouched with vibrant Afrin-artist graffiti celebrating Raqqa’s heritage.
- Inclusive design: five small roundabouts improve flow for the elderly and people with disabilities.
Impact: “A Park Reopens, A Community Breathes.”
- 1.5 ha of clean, lit public space restored in the city centre.
- ≈ 2,000 daily visitors (post-reopening municipal count) enjoy safe recreation.
- Psychosocial uplift: teachers report a 30 % drop in post-conflict stress behaviours among children who frequent the park.
- Local livelihoods: 40 short-term construction jobs and 6 permanent maintenance posts created.
Funding Status & Call for Support
Jawad Anzour Park’s makeover is fully funded and complete. To replicate this success across Syria—restoring safe communal spaces and strengthening social fabric—Heracles welcomes donations and implementation partners.
Future Needs — “Greening All of Syria’s Cities.”
- Scale the model: rehabilitate 12 additional parks & playgrounds in Raqqa, Tabqa, Manbij, Deir ez-Zor, and Homs.
- Youth engagement: add multi-sport courts and weekend art-therapy workshops reaching 50,000 teens annually
- Smart lighting & solar: install off-grid solar lamp-posts to cut operating costs by 60%.
- Shade & climate resilience: plant 1,500 drought-tolerant trees to lower ambient temperatures by up to 2 °C in peak summer.
- Community stewardship fund: seed a $250 k micro-grant pool for neighbourhood groups to stage concerts, farmer and artisanal markets, and upkeep days—keeping each park vibrant and locally owned.
