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

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

3. 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

4. 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

5. 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.

6. General Plans
Main Components

7. 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

8. 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

9. Motsa Valley Park
מוקד C

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

11. 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

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

13. 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

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

15. 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.

16. Main Park Projects

17. 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

18. Streambed Rehabilitation

19. 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

20. 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

21. 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.

22. Forest Management

23. 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

24. 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.

25. Spring Rehabilitation

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

27. 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

28. 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

29. 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.

30. 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.

31. 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

32. 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

33. 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

34. 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

35. 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.