Herzelia Park

The park in Herzliya is a work in progress with less than half of the entire park developed: the Master Plan envisions the protection and further enhancement of the existing water systems, while providing new recreational facilities for the inhabitants of Herzliya and the region. It is being implemented and adjusted in a dynamic process of public participation and education, on-site research about the site’s unique natural processes and assets, and an on-going understanding on our part of what the expectations and needs in a modern urban park are.

The park is located on an historical flood plain with large seasonal winter ponds. The existing matrix of the drainage and flooding systems, combined with the idea of using the imagery of a tree with extending branches as the organizational structure, determined the formal language for the park: the general layout and the design of its built elements interprets this basic idea of ‘natural flow’. The first stage included re-habilitated drainage channels, a lake, and an amphitheater, a feature playground area and a coffee shop/public facilities building. Separate path systems for runners and cyclists weave through the park and connect to the existing surroundings.

The following stages were designed around the unique winter ponds with their rich wildlife of migrating birds, including viewing decks and bird watching shelters while continuing the basic structure of pedestrian, bicycle and running paths, as well as play areas.