Click to play videoBaghdad: Amid all the violence and war, there's something for Iraqi children to smile about – they've got an amusement park.
Some of the rides are almost 40 years old at the Fun City amusement park in eastern Baghdad. But for children they're special.
For over two years, Hassan Haidar was afraid to bring his kids out to the fair but finally they can play at the park again now.
"It’s entertainment for the children," Hassan says, "they were deprived more than two years; they felt oppressed, we have to cheer them up with games".
An afternoon picnic in Baghdad was unthinkable only a few weeks ago. But with security improving at least in some parts of Iraq’s capital, more and more people are venturing out for a stroll or to work out, and play.
Baghdad still is one of the most dangerous cities in the world. Dozens die in terror attacks here every day. But Iraqi officials say, the growing number of people coming to Baghdad’s parks is a an early sign, the new security plan for the city with a crackdown on sectarian violence might be working.
Staff members of Fun City say several thousand come to the park each day.
Still security is tight. Getting into Fun City is almost like going through airport security.
For years violence in Baghdad made it dangerous for people to even leave their homes. The last thing most Iraqis had on their minds was leisure activities.
And even now, staff members at "fun city," say another attack in this area would probably scare people away from the park again.
"As long as the security situation is good, I expect more people will come, because in this area, the amusement park is the only place they can go for entertainment," Fun City employee Abu Abbas says.
Hassan and other parents at Fun City say entertainment is so important for their children to help them forget the violence in their country at least for a little while.
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