Arazim Valley – Utilities Park

The Arazim Valley, located north of Highway 1 at the western entrance to Jerusalem, is part of the city’s metropolitan park system, Jerusalem Park.

The valley is a breeding and nesting habitat for a variety of plant and animal species.  At the same time, because the Arazim Valley is a large open area west of the city, it is also a desirable corridor for the passage of urban and national infrastructure.

Throughout the valley, an attempt was made to hide and camouflage the infrastructure passing through. The theme of “Utilities Park” is, instead, to present the subject of infrastructure and explain it to visitors. The park is centrally located in the valley on the southern bank of the Sorek River.

The works included rehabilitation of the riverbed and of the terraces along its banks, extensive plantings of trees, shrubs, and geophytes typical of the area, and construction of public areas including: a promenade, play facilities for children and toddlers, lawn, and shaded picnic areas. Two bridges, built above the streambed, connect the park to the paved bicycle path on the northern bank of Nahal Sorek and onwards through the entire valley. One bridge is an “extreme rope bridge”, which is an integral part of the playground facilities, while the other is an accessible wood and steel bridge allowing the passage of cyclists, strollers and wheelchairs.