People are urging the authorities concerned to upgrade facilities in green areas with basic amenities such as toilets, groceries and play areas for children, The Peninsula reports.

The green areas including parks and the Corniche, are now among the most sought after attractions for peoples outings especially as the weather is getting cooler.

Most people want to stay outdoors in their free times to do some exercises and also have family reunions.

However, most family outings are spoilt due to lack of basic amenities like toilets in most green areas.

At the Airport Road just opposite the old airport, many families go out to have get together and have their children play some games like football and tennis.

Most families complained that the absence of toilets in this place creates problems.

"It could be fine for older people but for children there should be some toilet facilities available," said one resident identified as Patrick. "Once the child wants to use the toilet facilities we have to cancel the reunion and go back home."

Some people who go out in the area would use the toilets of the neighbouring mosque, but even these toilets are only open during prayer times and closed most of the time.

The Corniche, which attracts several people, has just one toilet and this single toilet near the restaurant is not enough to serve all the revelers.

People at certain side of the Corniche have to walk long enough to arrive at this single toilet and this also gets difficult with the children.

On weekends, the toilets that also serve the prayer place at the Corniche get extremely busy. During some big events like National Day when many people come to the area, authorities have always had to set up portable toilets.

The lack of children play area in most green zones is affecting most families going out with their children. Qusayr Mohammed, a parent of a three-year-old daughter and five-year-old son, found at the Corniche said his two children were always happy to leave the house and go play outside.

"The problem is apart from them chasing each other, there is nothing else they can play from outside," he said.

He said he wanted his children to play outdoors during the winter as most of the time they were inside the house in air conditions playing video games and this kind of life was not healthy for the children.

There are some equipment installed on the Corniche like treadmills, exercise bikes and weight lift machines, but these were for adults.

The outdoor exercises were also a must for adults especially during the cooler season and many men and women were seen jogging on the streets and other green areas to play football and other sports related activities.

Other facilities that residents want on green areas include restaurants, cafes and grocery stores. Most residents complain that they have to drive out of the areas to look for refreshments and other eateries.