A decision to build a youth center in Agouza Park was canceled after residents of the Cairo district submitted complaints about the project, according to a Tuesday statement by Giza governor Khaled al-Adly.
The initial decision was made after Adly received a complaint that the park harbors practices “contrary to public morals” and involving illegal drugs, Adly said.
The project was halted Thursday and will the governor will re-study the issue in coordination with Agouza locals, he added.
Public parks in Egypt have a low ticket price ranging between 1-10 EGP ($0.1-$1.3,) and many families, as well as couples, resort to the parks instead of other expensive entertainment venues. The cheaper parks, however, are dominated by couples, some seeking privacy in a culture that frowns on casual dating.
A project to build a car park under the Merryland Park in Heliopolis was also halted in March after its residents led a social media campaign against cutting old trees in the garden.
However, the fierce campaign by Zamalek residents to cancel digging in their upscale neighborhood to install a metro stop failed after President Abdel Fatah al-Sisi finally upheld the Ministry of Transport’s decision to begin construction.
