The Jerusalem Metropolitan Park Complex A Green Ring for a Golden City July 2008

Our Vision An urban recreational park set amid timeless landscapes and agricultural heritage, serving residents of Jerusalem, its surroundings and visitors to the capital.

Project Goals To preserve open spaces that sustain natural systems and illustrate the agricultural heritage of the Land of Israel. Site To open the park to users by ensuring access to all sections, through a system combining park roads, bicycle trails, and a network of footpaths. To encourage the public to appreciate, use, and enjoy natural and scenic values. Community To create diverse opportunities for leisure and recreation suiting the landscapes and natural values of the park and users’ needs. Uses

Jerusalem Metropolitan Park Complex A ring of open spaces surrounding Jerusalem, with “green fingers” extending into the urban areas, creating a metropolitan recreational space adjacent to the city. Nahal Tsofim Park Arazim Valley Metro Park Motsa Valley Metro Park Geographical sections: Arazim Valley – 320 ha (800 acres) Motsa Valley – 500 ha (1250 acres) Refa’im Valley – 500 ha (1250 acres) Refa’im Valley Metro Park Railroad Park Strip

Metropolitan Parks Authority Structure of the Parks Authority Partners: Jerusalem Municipality, neighboring local authorities, KKL-JNF, Nature and Parks Authority, SPNI, community administrations. Professional staff of the Authority: Architects, ecologist, infrastructures consultant, hydrologist, traffic and road planner, marketing and branding consultant, education and community coordinator. Project managed by Tik Proyektim Ltd.

General Plans Main Components

Mitspe Naftoah (planned) עמק הארזים Leisure & recreation centers Existing planted forest Proposed planted forest Plantation Orchards Streamside planting Landscape reserve – natural forest for conservation Nature reserve & national park Engineering installation General Plan Mevasseret Tsiyon Halilim Ridge Road No. 1 Ramot Road No. 4 1/9 interchange Railroad Main cycling path Secondary cycling path Main road Secondary road Lifta Mitspe Naftoah (planned) Main projects: A1 – Rehabilitating stream and entrances A2 – Main cycling path A3 – Educational building at Telem Springs A4 – Sports Center A5 – Forestry work and establishing activity centers Arazim Valley Road No. 9

Arazim Valley Orchards Plantations Planted forests Nature reserve The purpose of the open spaces in the park is to create an island of calm in the urban landscape and to provide a green setting for activities. Ninety percent of the park area is open space of various types. Orchards Plantations Planted forests Nature reserve Landscape reserve Riverside vegetation

Motsa Valley Park מוקד C

Motsa Valley 2. Traditional agriculture 1. Water 3. Nature

Railroad track in the city Refa’im Valley Park Nahal Refa’im leaves the built-up area of the city close to the zoo, below Givat Masu’a, and then continues in broad curves until it joins Nahal Sorek. Most of Nahal Refa’im is included within national park. Railroad track in the city The agricultural terraces, orchards, and springs typical of the western section of the park tell the story of the farming and settlement heritage of the Land of Israel. The Old City En Haniya Refa’im Valley – General Plan

Refa’im Valley 1. Urban nature 3. Urban area 2. Traditional agriculture

Refai’m Valley Park Strip Railroad Park Khan Malha Leisure and Recreation Path 5 – 10 kilometers Khan Malha Leisure and Recreation Path includes a cycling path and footpath reflecting the urban character of the surrounding areas. Leisure and recreation facilities on a neighborhood and level are located along the route. The path is accessible to all types of users and connects the urban area with the metropolitan areas to the west. The leisure path extends from Malha station along Nahal Refa’im as a cycling path in an open area, offering opportunities for nature recreation, sport, and leisure, with connections to the anchor projects in the park and the adjacent neighborhoods. Refai’m Valley Park Strip The Green Strip Urban Boulevard Culture and leisure

Nahal Tsofim Metropolitan Park Conceptual Plan Main activity area Picnics and active recreation/ play facilities

Statutory Plans - Progress Arazim Valley – Plan 12,000 is in the final stages of approval. Motsa Valley – Plan MH1 has been approved by the Jerusalem Municipal Planning Commission; is being processed for approval by the Regional Planning Commission. Refa’im Valley – Plan 12,222 is in the preliminary stages of approval by the Jerusalem Municipal Planning Commission.

Main Park Projects

Sixty kilometer bicycle trail Alternatives for connecting the parks Khirbet Sa’adim Ora junction ש Stream junction Typical section of a roadside cycling path with protective divide Typical section of a 3-meter cycling path

Streambed Rehabilitation

Arazim Valley Regulating and developing the stream course and entrances – “Park Gates” 28 hectares Riverside vegetation Stone walls were built along the course of Nahal Sorek in ancient times to regulate the flow of water. Over time rows of almonds were planted on both banks, creating a linear visual element that emphasizes the course of the river. The planning concept proposes that most of the recreational activities will be concentrated along the course of the stream. Planting typical riverside trees and bushes – planes, sycamore, ash, etc. Landscaping the stream banks and rebuilding stone walls. Creating pools (drainage areas) with typical vegetation – rushes, reeds, etc. Main entrances Developing entrances and exposing the park to the public

Streambed Rehabilitation Refa’im Valley Streambed Rehabilitation 13 hectares (43 acres) Rehabilitating the streambed and banks from east to west to permit passage on foot and bikes. Regulating the section of the stream. Planting characteristic vegetation and carrying out earthworks. Work includes: footpaths and cycling paths, creating points of interest and activity, and providing signs and directions. Residential neighborhood Cliff edge Gentle slopes Railroad Stream course

Streambed and bank rehabilitation Motsa Valley Streambed and bank rehabilitation 10 hectares (25 acres) Streambed and bank rehabilitation from east to west to permit passage on foot and bikes. Regulating the section of the stream. Planting characteristic vegetation and carrying earthworks. Work includes: regulating footpaths and cycling paths, creating points of interest and activity, and providing signs and directions.

Forest Management

Caring for existing and proposed forests Arazim Valley Caring for existing and proposed forests Existing 106 hectares (280 acres) Proposed 25.5 hectares (64 acres) Marginal areas of the forests require care and planting to complement and reinforce existing forest areas. Developing active recreation areas (playgrounds, picnic sites, etc.) Forestry work – ongoing care and maintenance

Work in existing forests and groves Motsa Valley Work in existing forests and groves Care and complementing existing planted forests, including planting additional trees to define the park boundaries; existing and new forest paths with shaded seating areas; outdoors forest classrooms, etc.

Spring Rehabilitation

Telem Springs – renovation of building and pool Arazim Valley Telem Springs National Park 300 sq.m. Telem Springs – renovation of building and pool

Rehabilitation of En Lavan spring Refa’im Valley Rehabilitation of En Lavan spring 15 hectares (35 acres) Park road – vehicle access (Car park) Footpath Center of site – orchard-style Community leisure activities Spring rehabilitation includes: Renovating terraces and water conduits; rehabilitating vegetation; providing a network of foot and cycling paths; parking, signs and direction; links to forest paths and to the main path along Nahal Refa’im. ; En Lavan

Rehabilitation of En Haniya spring Rehabilitation of Springs Rehabilitation of En Haniya spring 5 hectares (12.5 acres) Spring rehabilitation includes: Restoring the opening to the spring; providing access and parking; restoring the terraces; planting an orchard; signs and directions. En Haniya

Arazim Valley Educational buildings and arboretum 800 sq.m. 1500 sq.m. Halilim Educational buildings - Lifta In lower Nahal Lifta, past the planned arboretum, an educational building will be established focusing on local nature and flora. The center will be used by youth movements in the afternoons. The area will be developed as part of the landscape rehabilitation by the Defense Ministry. At the base of Nahal Halilim, close to the cypress grove, an educational building will be established. The building will be used in the mornings by school students, who will learn about ancient agriculture, ecology, and the Land of Israel. In the afternoons the building will be used as a youth movement center.

Arazim Valley Sports Center 5000 sq.m. Between Road No. 9 and Road No. 4, on a level area of land close to Nahal Sorek, a sports center with an area of approximately 10 hectares will be built.

Urban Nature – Givat Kos Refa’im Valley Urban Nature – Givat Kos 6.5 hectares (16 acres) Givat Kos overlooks the center of the park and the lake area with its diverse recreational activities. Development includes a footpath, observation point, explanatory and directional signs, preservation of vegetation, and arrangements for access and parking at the base of the hill. Jerusalem Mall Arena Teddy Stadium Bus terminal Rail station 4 Lake Park

Motsa Valley Main Entrance and Lake 18 hectares (45 acres) Bet Zayit The heart of the park includes development of the lake alongside the existing Bet Zayit Reservoir. Work includes: restaurant, park entrance zone, water-based activities, diverse sports and active leisure activities, picnic areas, lawns, footpaths and cycling paths connecting the different areas, and development of a main promenade crossing the park. Stone steps Olive groves Bet Zayit Dam

Motsa Valley Main promenade 3.5 km Promenade crossing the park between the northern and southern activity areas, along the service path of the existing sewage line. The promenade includes footpaths, bicycle trails, scenic lookouts and leisure areas along the lake, as well as planting, etc. Olive groves Bet Zayit Dam School Area B

Increasing public awareness and involvement Education and Community in the Park Increasing public awareness and involvement Education, community, and sport in the park Integrating community programs (of neighboring communities) in the park for diverse populations and needs Art in nature (drawing, photography, sculpture) Community farming Training “park monitors” Establishing a network of volunteers Sports, fitness, and health – preparing a master plan for sports and fitness in the park Coordinating sports events Information / signs on health and fitness themes Guided tours

Branding and Marketing the Parks Goal: To create an optimum branding language for all the parks emphasizing their appeal. To identify the target populations for the project. To determine the brand personality. To define the model for the brand architecture.