Green Lung in Dimona

December 3, 2013

The Keren Kayemeth LeIsrael–Jewish National Fund [KKL–JNF] is investing $8 million in creating the new park, named after the man who dreamed of making the desert bloom. “The new…park, which we will build together with the municipality, the contributions of KKL–JNF, and a community in Holland that adopted the park, will be the green lung of the city…” KKL–JNF Chairman Efi Stenzler told the Jerusalem Post.

Dimona municipality officials say the park will serve as a “green lung” and recreation site for city residents as well as a tourist stopover for out-of-towners. “It will be an all-in-one park,” says Deputy Mayor Eli Bronstein. “There will be a lake, kayaks, an area for holiday bungalows, a section for restaurants and pubs, and an amphitheater that can hold up to 10,000 concert-goers.”

Artist illustration of David Ben-Gurion park Today, many people visit Dimona to meet members of the African Hebrew Israelites community (also known as the Black Hebrews)—a religious group who believes they are descendants of the Tribe of Judah. Visitors are invited to hear lectures, attend one of their famous gospel choir concerts and dine at one of their vegan restaurants.

The park, which is expected to be ready in 18 months, is actually a KKL–JNF pine and eucalyptus forest planted in the 1970s, which is surrounded by residential communities. With no access to the Mediterranean Sea for miles around, the creation of the Dimona lake is set to be a base for boating and other water sports.

“Experience shows that the establishment of tourist spots for sports and leisure alongside other projects brings about a rise in property values and will attract many people to come and live in Dimona—as in Ben-Gurion’s vision to settle the Negev,” said Stenzler.

Source: Excerpts of article by Sarah Carnvek, Israel Ministry of Foreign Affairs

Photo Credit: KKL–JNF