Where once was the biggest amusement park in Iraq, Baghdad Island lies — a shabbier copy of its former self. The park, a favorite in the eponymous Iraqi capital, has fallen into neglect ever since the 2003 Bush-sponsored invasion of the country. Now Americans and Iraqi officials are looking to revive the erstwhile leisure attraction.

Initial work in the park would consist largely of restoring the power, fixing water pumps, and clearing trash — all to make way for a 2010 reopening. Praised by the Iraq’s ministry of tourism, the restoration would center in particular on the park’s enormous artificial lake. The park itself sits in the middle of a water body, the historic Tigris River.

Baghdad Island‘s restoration may well reflect the mood of the country today, still wrangling with some repercussions of war, but nonetheless resilient. While the average Iraqi still has to deal with the intermittent violence, things are looking up on the whole. Many Sunnis in the country have turned against al-Qaida, while Shiite insurrectionists have agreed to lay down arms. Meanwhile, American troops are readying for withdrawal under the Obama administration, even as they continue to keep violence-mongers at bay.

In stark contrast to edgier times, the atmosphere in the park on June 22 was celebratory. American soldiers reveled that day in groundbreaking ceremonies, officially consigning the park back to Iraqi sovereignty.

Tourists had hitherto been discouraged from going to the island since the events in 2003. For a time, US troops obstructed routes bound for the island, in an effort to contain the mushrooming bastions of insurgents around it.

Located just north of downtown Baghdad, the theme park is nestled on 150 acres of land. Two Finland-based firms, guided by Frank Lloyd Wright-inspired designs, erected the park in the 1980s. In older days, Iraqis would come to the park to visit the 165-foot observation building; take a dip in the pool; watch films at the outdoor cinema; go bowling; or congregate at the spacious amphitheater. Admission to the park only cost 250 dinars, a mere symbolic sum.

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