In colonial times, this garden was called Lyautey. But immediately after the independence, it was named the Arab League Garden.
Its design was supervised by a French engineer named Jean-Claude Forestier, who was brought in by the French protectorate authorities for this purpose. The latter had a long experience in the field of garden design.
But the implementation of the project was entrusted to the engineer Albert Labrad, who was in charge of the development of parks and gardens and who worked in the team of the engineer Henri Brost, in charge of the development of Moroccan cities, and in particular Casablanca.
The garden was designed in the style of the French gardens of the time. Plants from various French colonies in Asia, Africa and Latin America, particularly those that can adapt to the Moroccan climate, as well as ficus and palm trees that were brought in.
The development of Lyautey’s garden was completed in 1919, before it was opened to the public and became the preferred destination of the city’s French people, especially since it was located in a strategic location in the heart of the economic capital, close to the Catholic Church, the administrations and the city center.
The garden, which covers an area of 30 hectares, included many sports areas, including an athletics circuit and a petanque club.
It is said that the garden was built above a former Portuguese prison by German soldiers. Today it is one of the oldest and largest gardens in Casablanca.
The garden was neglected for many years before the Commune of Casablanca decided to rehabilitate it. Work began in January 2016. The project cost 100 million Dirhams.
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