Parks in Peripheral Communities

The region's climate, characterized by cloudbursts and heavy downpours, as well as the area's heavy soil composition, cause serious drainage and erosion problems in the region, making it susceptible to landslides.

KKL-JNF, with the help of its friends in Switzerland, has been implementing numerous projects in Switzerland Forest, including renewing and maintaining drainage systems, preventing erosion and nurturing and developing the local forest.

Thanks to these projects, local residents and the many visitors to the area can enjoy a recreational site that is rich in vegetation and equipped with vehicle-access roads, look-out points, footpaths and cycle paths, and most recently, a camping site surrounded by ancient olive and carob trees.

The next stage of development in Switzerland Forest is the construction of a plaza at the start of the cycle path, just where forest and city meet. A large municipal park is planned for the area nearby, in conjunction with Tiberias Municipality.

“In a crowded city like Bnei Brak, open spaces are very important,” says Zvika Posnansky, Municipal Parks and Landscaping Director. “Bnei Brak has 170,000 residents, of which 57,000 are children, and very little park area, only 360 dunams, less than half a square kilometer, which is why this KKL JNF project means so much to us.”

The park was constructed with donations from Friends of JNF Toronto, Canada, and was named in honor of Eli and Renée Rubinstein. Donations were also made by Julia and Henry Koschitzky, Frieda Pager and other donors from Toronto.

Standing next to the playground is the monument, which was designed by Miriam Halfi. The structure is comprised of a wall with the names of the fallen soldiers of the city. On memorial days, the municipality holds memorial ceremonies at the site, which has become a gathering place for the families of the fallen. It is here that they remember their loved ones, in a place that symbolizes not only bereavement and loss, but also growth, renewal and the continuity of life.

Beersheva River Park, Israel's largest park, is the municipal park of the city of Beersheba. The park covers an area of 1,100 acres and also includes 8 kilometers of the Nahal Beersheba streambed. The combination of recreation areas and historical and archeological sites gives visitors an extraordinary experience.

This area used to be Beersheba's garbage dump. The river was filled with sewage and waste. A few years ago, a decision was made to rehabilitate the streambed and turn the ecological disaster into a park that would become a tourist attraction.

Several organizations joined forces to promote the venture- KKL JNF and its friends worldwide, including Germany, USA and Canada; the Ministry for the Development of the Negev and the Galilee; the Beersheba Municipality; the Administration for Restoration and Development of Nahal Beersheba, and the Shikma-Besor Drainage Authority.

As of now, the park includes open spaces, picnic areas, attractions, a promenade and historical sites that tell the story of the city from the dawn of history until the present. The large promenade covers an area of 250 dunams and includes groves, lawns and playgrounds for children. The park has become a venue for music and art performances as well as fairs and events for all ages.

In the western part of the park, KKL-JNF constructed the Liberty Bell Garden – the Plotnick Family Park, on an area of 40 dunams, thanks to a contribution of friends of JNF Canada. The park includes activity, recreation and leisure areas.

In the eastern part of the park, KKL JNF has restored Beit Eshel, an agricultural settlement founded in 1943 for testing the possibilities for sustainability and cultivation of the land in such a difficult desert climate. The historical saga of the small outpost includes difficult battles with the Egyptian army during the War of Independence. Restoration of the historical site was done thanks to contributions of friends of JNF Canada and KKL-JNF Germany.

The Pipe Bridge, another park site, was constructed with a contribution made by friends of JNF USA. This bridge, built for walkers and cyclers, passes above Mekorot water pipelines and connects the city's urban neighborhoods with the park on the other side. The bridge is illuminated at night and is considered such an attraction that apartments facing that view are being sold for considerable sums because of the view of the bridge. Families come for visits, and many couples have their wedding photos taken on the bridge.

This park is yet another example of a community development project led by KKL JNF, which transformed a neglected garbage dump into a desirable neighborhood.