IN PHOTOS: Springtime in Park Ariel Sharon

Park hosts conference on the use of native plants to rehabilitate landscapes.

By NATHAN WISE

MARCH 26, 2015 17:42

Park Ariel Sharon (photo credit: NATHAN WISE) — Park Ariel Sharon

(photo credit: NATHAN WISE)

The development of the enormous Park Ariel Sharon in the heart of the Tel Aviv metropolis has progressed steadily over the past few years.

The work that has gone into the site to transform German landscape architect Peter Latz's vision into reality is beginning to bear fruit.

The winter rains have passed and wildflowers are blanketing the top of the mountain and an area that has been developed around the Shalem Farm near the Barlev road entrance to the park. Near this entrance, an ephemeral winter pool that the park has developed is still a few feet deep and should be seen before it dries up in the summer.

Garbage was dumped at Hiriya between 1952 and 1998 resulting in a mountain that is now open to the public and from which uncompared views of the city can be enjoyed. The reclamation project is one of the largest of its kind in the world

On Wednesday, the park hosted a conference on the use of native plants to rehabilitate landscapes. Among a host of topics, experts spoke about the difficulty in propagating native species in commercial nurseries, challenges in maintaining the landscape once the species have been planted, and conflicts that may arise between engineers, ecologists, and landscape architects.

Park Ariel Sharon agronomist Dafna Helowitz told The Jerusalem Post that around 3,500 trees were planted at the park last year alone.

The park is open to the public seven days a week. Visitors can ascend the mountain during the week with a shuttle provided by the park and on Saturdays in their private vehicles.

An area at the top of the mountain called the "oasis" is a stunning new developed area that includes a lake and lush planted areas with a cafe set to open soon.