[holding answer 2 June 2008]: The Bolan Park was built in Bolan, Lashkar Gah, with funding from the UK Government in 2007. The park was built at the request of the Governor of Helmand and relevant government of Afghanistan line departments, by the Afghan NGO Helping Afghan Farmers Organisation (HAFO). Much of the work was carried out using local labour. Funding for the project was provided through the UK-led provincial reconstruction team from a pool of funding jointly provided by the MOD, FCO and DFID.
This park is open to men, women and children with one day each week being set aside for women's exclusive use. The park cost around £420,000 and was built alongside the Helmand river. The costs of the park reflect the fact that during construction gabion walls were put in place to support the river bank, which helps prevent erosion, and to support the Bolan bridge. In addition, the park has extensive lighting which at night is important for improving security.
The park is popular and is in constant use, with children using it every day after school. It functions as a symbol for security and development in the area. One of the first major events hosted at the park was a US-funded agricultural fair to promote legal livelihoods attended by 1,700 Afghans. Recently the park was the venue for a successful cultural event organised by the Governor which attracted more than 2,000 local people.