Park of the Groves

“Park of the Groves”, the largest green space in South Tel Aviv at 100 acres, has undergone a series of changes over the last century. Remnants of elevated irrigation pools and well houses, found today inside large groves of oak and pine trees, recall the traditional agriculture of citrus groves once cultivated by Arab farmers from Jaffa.

Based on the city’s Master Plan, the design of the first stage defined several strategic intentions:  improving connectivity throughout the site and with its surroundings; exposing and integrating the various historical layers in the design; creating a sustainable green space with emphasis on existing urban ecologies; inserting of recreational activities; using mainly standard municipal details in order to ensure easy maintainability while concentrating resources on special features.

Foot and bicycle paths traverse the park and connect it to the city beyond.  Along the now pedestrian-only axis of Ofer Cohen Street, a series of plazas and an amphitheater provide a platform for events and local initiatives. Replanted orchards around the three historical irrigation pools and the reconstructed traditional irrigation system bring alive the agricultural landscape of the past.  A large play area and viewing tower create a major attraction for children, while an herb garden in the shade of existing fruit trees offers a pleasant area for visitors who seek quiet. All new plantings in the park are of agricultural or indigenous species, encouraging an increase of wildlife, including an ecological pond with a bird watching shelter. Many areas are left to naturalize with minimal maintenance.  Most of the rain water runoff is captured on site by creating low-point basins and terracing of the existing topography, allowing for water return to the aquifer.