The USAID-funded Building Alliance for Local Advancement, Development, and Investment (BALADI) Program implemented by Rene Moawad Foundation (RMF) is contributing $157,750 to assist Edde Municipality and Bentael village establish an eco-touristic activities park in Bentael nature reserve.

The prefabricated units for the rural products store and the library installed at Bentael reserve Activities Park.

This activities park was planned by the community in six villages in Byblos district: Bentael, Edde, Bihdidat, Kafer, Kfoun, and Kfarmashoun in coordination with Edde municipality to boost the economy in the area and provide youth from the area with income generating activities.

The activities park located in Bentael nature reserve will include a facility for selling the rural preserves and handicrafts produced by women, a library that provides computer access and environmental information, and an activities area that includes hiking and other sports activities for visitors. The project will economically benefit more than 45 families facing social and economic burdens. More than 65% of the works have been completed so far, and on October 17, 2014 the USAID-funded BALADI project installed four prefabricated units that will house the library, the rural products store, the restrooms, as well as entrance booth. Project progress will continue in the next months, and the activities park is expected to start receiving visitors by March 2015.