Picnic protest pushes for park

Residents of Tel Aviv's Kiryat Sefer area held a "picnic" on the hard ground of an unused lot in protest against the city's long delay in turning the area into a park.

By MIRIAM BULWAR DAVID-HAY (TRANSLATED)
It was a demonstration with a difference … Residents of Tel Aviv's Kiryat Sefer area held a "picnic" on the hard pebbled ground of an unused lot in their neighborhood in protest against the city's long delay in turning the area into a park, reports Yediot Tel Aviv. The residents said Mayor Ron Huldai had promised to turn the unattractive 20-dunam area into a pleasant park for the benefit of residents eight years ago, but nothing had been done since. At present, while part of the area is used as a car park, most of it remains unused. According to the report, some 70 residents turned up for the picnic, carrying food-laden picnic baskets and sitting on blankets on the hard ground. Children ran around and several youths played musical instruments. The residents vowed that they would increase their struggle to have the long-promised park created. "He (Huldai) promised publicly that in the Kiryat Sefer area there would be a park for the benefit of all residents, but up to today that hasn't happened," one of the organizers said. "My impression is that an attempt is being made to wear us out … this action is a hint that we still have energy to fight." A municipal spokesman said that although the city had plans to create a park in the area, the Israel Lands Authority had issued a tender for a car park there without the municipality's knowledge. The city was appealing this decision and the hearing would take place only at the end of July, and it was this that had caused the delay in the park plans. "The city will support and advance the creation of a garden in the area," the spokesman said.