Gazelle Valley Jerusalem - Israel's First Urban Park

I just returned from a visit to the newly-opened Gazelle Valley across the road from my home. I have lived in the neighborhood for 25 years and was excited to see this new project which will benefit all the city's residents.

 

 Gazelle Valley - saved from developers

the controversial Holyland project in the background

(photo - Amir Balaban)

 

Following a 15-year struggle to save the green space from residential developers, March 30 saw the opening of Gazelle Valley, Israel’s first urban wildlife reserve which features five ponds, two streams, bird-watching areas, a man-made island accessible by wooden bridges and wild gazelles roaming free.

 

 Looking for Gazelles



Planned by the Society for the Protection of Nature in Israel, which also supports the nearby Jerusalem Bird Observatory, local experts were also advised by people  responsible for a much larger urban project -  New York's Central Park.  Funds were provided via the Jerualem Foundation and the Jerusalem Municipality. Signs in Hebrew, Arabic and English describe the flora and fauna, and an information center assisted by volunteers offers workshops and guided tours.

 Gazelle Workshop
 

The Passover holiday has seen thousands of visitors, of all backgrounds, enjoying the nature workshops, the ponds, the blue and white striped deckchairs and the large open space just a stone's throw from the busy Patt Junction - one of the city's major intersections.

 Israeli Mountain Gazelles in the Valley

(photo - Amir Balaban)

The Israeli mountain gazelle “is the archetype of all gazelles,” says Amir Balaban, a champion of Israeli wildlife who is the urban nature coordinator at the Society for the Protection of Nature in Israel and a force behind the valley renovation. “It’s the biblical gazelle, the one mentioned in Psalms and the Song of Songs; it has beauty and strength. Jerusalem and gazelles always went together.”

I wish the project great success. The public supported the new development which will provide a much-needed green space in a heavily-built up area.

I didn't see any gazelles today but look forward to them returning to the neighborhood.

Taking a break
 

The park will remain open to the public free of charge, seven days a week, from 7 a.m. until sunset. 

Winter Wonderland Jerusalem, December 2013

Even though snow is not a rare occurence in this city, this morning Jerusalem experienced its heaviest December snowfall since 1953. Schools have closed and public transport is at a standstill as Jerusalem's residents stay at home and keep warm.

Coming fast on the tail of an unusually warm November, Jerusalemites have been suprised by the sudden freezing temperatures which are affecting much of the Middle East. Snow is always a cause for great celebration especially among the children who look forward to building snowmen and generally having fun.

The snow storm was the fiercest in over 100 years cutting off roads to the city and electricity to many households. The sun is finally coming out and melting the snow but a huge amount of damage has been caused to infrastructure which will take some time to repair.

Jerusalem of white and gold





View to the Knesset

   

 



Old City Walls

 

Just received: Pictures from the Jerusalem Bird Observatory taken earlier today

 

 



The Jerusalem Bird Observatory - another hidden gem in Jerusalem

Hidden away on a tiny, one-acre plot (5,000 square meters) between the Knesset (the Israeli parliament), the Rose Garden and the Supreme Court, sits the Jerusalem Bird Observatory - JBO.

The JBO was established in 1994 by the Society for Protection of Nature in Israel - SPNI - in order to preserve one of the last bird and wildlife refuges in the city.   The site is one of the few traditional birdwatching areas in Jerusalem that has not been harmed by development, and its central location makes it an attractive educational and tourist center for the public.

I wrote an earlier piece about the 500 million birds passing through this country in the autum and spring as they migrate to and from Europe and Africa.

It is possible to stop by the JBO any time of the day and night to sit and watch the birds who stop off at the small pond to rest and refuel on their long journey across continents.

The Hoopoe

Voted Israel's national bird in 2008

 

At present the JBO is receiving a USAID grant promoting a joint Israeli - Palestinian ringing project. The JBO offers monthly activities to the general public. These include: afternoon bird walks, nature walks, bird banding (ringing) for students from preschool to college age. It is also possible to arrange private bird watching trips to all parts of the country.

 

Watch a short movie about the JBO





 On your next visit to Jerusalem, take the time to enjoy this special place  - only a stone's throw from the Knesset but much more relaxing and spiritually rewarding.