Misplaced Pages

#483516

21-565: The Train Track Park starts just outside the former Jerusalem Railway Station and extends in a southwesterly direction 7 kilometres (4.3 mi) along the original route of the Jaffa–Jerusalem railway. It passes through seven neighborhoods – German Colony , Baka , Katamon , Pat , Mekor Chaim , and Beit Safafa , – ending outside Teddy Stadium in Malha . The Jaffa–Jerusalem railway

42-889: A proposed multi-lane highway to be built between Katamonim and the Talpiot industrial zone, which would divide the park between Mekor Chaim and Beit Safafa. In 2013 the Train Track Park received the Design Award in the category of urban design at the annual Israel Conference for Architecture and Design. It also received the 2013 Karavan Prize for Landscape and Garden Architecture from the Tel Aviv-Yafo Municipality . Jerusalem%E2%80%93Malha railway station Jerusalem–Malha railway station ( Hebrew : תחנת הרכבת ירושלים – מלחה , Tahanat HaRakevet Yerushalayim–Malha ; Arabic : محطة أورشليم – المالحة )

63-522: A roadway in their place. In 2008, residents of the Katamonim neighborhoods and others abutting the tracks formed a Committee for the Train Track Park. They lobbied for the development of an urban park on the abandoned stretch of track instead of a road. They supported their protest with art events organized by the Bezalel Academy of Arts and Design and the planting of a community garden under

84-573: A stand selling orthotics have been established along the route. In summer 2015 the Jerusalem Municipality installed two free public reading libraries in the park, converting old bus shelters into open-air bookshelves. Users can borrow books on the honor system, as well as donate books to the project. Books in Hebrew, French, English, and Arabic have been donated to the project. Unlike other large Jerusalem parks like Sacher Park and

105-523: Is the current terminus of the Jaffa–Jerusalem railway . The other Jerusalem station on this line is the Biblical Zoo station which is served by limited stops. Jerusalem Malha was opened on April 9, 2005, when the historic Jaffa–Jerusalem railway was restored after being out of service for six years. The line underwent a major renovation, including the laying of new tracks. Jerusalem Malha replaced

126-541: Is used by residents of both. A group called " Runners Without Borders ", composed of Jewish and Arab runners, trains here and has become a symbol of the park. In 2016 residents of the Katamonim neighborhoods protested against a planned extension of the Jerusalem Light Rail which would cut through the park, eliminating about 400 metres (1,300 ft) of it. The continuity of the park is also threatened by

147-461: Is wheelchair accessible. The pedestrian path is a raised boardwalk made from molded concrete planks with an imitation wood finish, laid directly over the original railroad tracks and ties . Wood was not used for either the walkway or benches in the project due to the Jerusalem municipality's concern for maintenance and prevention of vandalism, and to avoid damage from the occasional snowfall. To

168-654: The Jerusalem Central Bus Station to their destination via Begin Boulevard . There are conceptual plans to extend the new Tel Aviv–Jerusalem railway from Jerusalem–Yitzhak Navon to Jerusalem–Malha along an underground route beneath Jerusalem; for that reason, Malha station was built as a thorough station at a surface elevation equal to that of Jerusalem–Navon's underground tracks and platforms. Detailed plans unveiled in November 2021 establish

189-549: The Valley of the Cross which occupy wadis , the Train Track Park is embedded in the urban fabric. Its presence has improved the desirability of the neighborhoods situated along its route, with increased home prices and an influx of younger residents and families with children being seen. The park has also been noted as a symbol of coexistence in the divided city, as it passes through six Jewish and one Arab neighborhood (Beit Safafa) and

210-422: The synagogue . The first time I saw professional cyclists from Beit Safafa , I said, 'Here the cultures connect'. –Yair Avigdor, park architect The park is used on a daily basis by walkers, joggers, runners, dog-walkers, families, cyclists, tai chi and yoga enthusiasts, lawn sports players, and bench-sitters. According to a 2015 estimate, "thousands" of people use the park daily. Several juice stands and

231-423: The Jerusalem Municipality, and Israel Railways. The park was designed by Yair Avigdor and Shlomi Ze'evi of Maanad Architects. It was constructed in stages between 2010 and 2013. The park encompasses approximately 80 dunams (0.080 km; 0.031 sq mi). It measures 7 kilometres (4.3 mi) in length. Its width ranges from 7–15 metres (23–49 ft) depending on the location and "urban situation". The park

SECTION 10

#1732794242484

252-473: The architects created small squares with benches, playground equipment, and drinking fountains. The transition between neighborhoods along the route is demarcated by benches and additional lighting. Original railroad accouterments, such as signal boxes , signage, and communication poles, were preserved in some places, and historical markers and photos were posted along the route. You see Arab women with head scarves walking on Shabbat alongside men returning from

273-664: The auspices of the Society for the Protection of Nature in Israel . Their initiative garnered support from Nir Barkat , who was elected Mayor of Jerusalem in 2008. Unlike his predecessor, Uri Lupolianski , who had supported road construction, Barkat and his deputy mayor, Naomi Tzur, supported the park initiative. The NIS 40 million park project was spearheaded by the Jerusalem Development Authority ,

294-596: The historic Jerusalem railway station near the Old City as the terminus of the line, which was not restored due to the objections of area residents over train noise . The at grade tracks from Malha to Khan have been turned into a mixed use path, called the Park HaMesila, or Train Track Park . Since February 5, 2006, intercity bus routes to Gush Etzion and the Hebron area stop at Malha station on their way from

315-487: The modern Tel Aviv–Jerusalem railway , ridership is very low. 115,118 passengers boarded or disembarked at the station in 2019, ahead of only the adjacent Biblical Zoo railway station and Dimona railway station . Service to the station has been suspended entirely since March 2020 due to poor usage combined with the economic impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic , and it is unclear if or when it will resume. Jerusalem–Malha

336-485: The precise course of the extension, which will also pass via a new underground station in central Jerusalem and another underneath the historic Jerusalem-Khan train station . Sacher Park Sacher Park ( Hebrew : גן סאקר) is the largest public park in the center of Jerusalem , near the neighborhoods of Kiryat Wolfson and Nachlaot and adjoins the Israel Government Complex . The park

357-513: The side of the tracks is a paved bicycle path, which will eventually be linked to the Jerusalem Metropolitan Park that will yield 42 kilometres (26 mi) of continuous cycling trails. In between the walking and biking paths in the wider sections is a strip of grass; in narrower sections, ornamental plants border the park. The park was planted with plane trees . At intersections with side streets or major urban junctions,

378-427: The word “peace,” as well as an engraving of a verse from Psalms (Tehillim 122): "Pray for the peace of Jerusalem; serene will be those who love you." The park has a number of facilities for its visitors, including a large playground, running track, an outdoor exercise machine area, soccer and basketball courts, drinking fountains and containers for hot barbecue coals (when you've finished with them, so as not to start

399-550: Was created in 1963, and named after Harry Sacher , a significant figure in the World Zionist Organization . It was designed by Yahalom Tzur, It includes lawns, walking paths, picnic areas, playgrounds, skateboard rinks, and a dog run. In April 1996, a Bonshō , a large Japanese bell, was installed in the park. It is engraved with inscriptions in Hebrew , Arabic , Japanese , and English , all containing

420-616: Was in operation from 1892 to 1998. With the closure of the railway for repairs, the Jerusalem Railway Station was shuttered in 1998. In April 2005 Israel Railways opened a new Jerusalem terminus at the Malha Station . The unused tracks between the Malha Station and the Jerusalem Railway Station became the site of neglect, litter, and off-road parking, and the Jerusalem municipality made plans to construct

441-602: Was one of two Israel Railways termini in Jerusalem , the other being Jerusalem–Yitzhak Navon railway station . The station is located in the southern neighborhood of Malha , across from the Jerusalem Shopping Mall , Pais Arena and Teddy Stadium . As it is much less centrally located than Navon station, and the historic Jaffa–Jerusalem railway provides a much slower journey to the Tel Aviv area than

SECTION 20

#1732794242484
#483516