(haipo) – Haifa’s coastal promenades are a major attraction for city residents and visitors from all over the country. People come to enjoy the sea views, the breeze, and the relaxed atmosphere along the beach. But it turns out that this charm can also hide danger when the maintenance of the promenades is neglected, as is the case with the Shikmona Promenade.
A woman was injured when she tripped and fell on the boardwalk, which was built due to nails protruding from the decking. She injured her face in a way that affected her not only physically, but also emotionally. "I was walking on the boardwalk, enjoying the view, and suddenly I found myself lying on the floor in severe pain. All of this happened because of a maintenance deficiency that could have been avoided if someone had bothered to check the situation and repair the damaged decking," she painfully told Haifa.
She continues: "This is not the first time I've fallen on this promenade. I've already fallen several times, only this time I fell on my face. Thank God, I didn't break a leg or an arm and didn't need medical help, but if I had needed treatment, I would have had to call my son from the United States. The municipality is indifferent and the people here are indifferent. What needs to happen for them to take care of this hazard? The municipality is investing money in repairs instead of changing the situation professionally and building something safe.
I've already seen many people fall on the boardwalk and need to be evacuated by ambulance – people who have broken an arm, a leg, a head, every day there's someone who falls. I could sue the municipality and spend a lot of money for all the times I've fallen, but I'm not that kind of person and I don't have time to deal with lawsuits.
"I demand that the Haifa Municipality use common sense and adapt the promenade so that it is safe, and not just beautiful. It's a shame the money that is being wasted on ineffective repairs."
Beautiful and dangerous
The Shikmona Promenade is one of the most beautiful in Haifa. It is a section of the coastal promenade that includes a decked path overlooking the sea, with impressive observation balconies. But it is difficult to enjoy the pastoral view in peace, when beneath the surface lies a serious problem: the decks have worn away over time, some are not straight, there are cracks and sharp protrusions that could cause any passerby to trip and fall.
This is not the first case, and certainly not the last. Many residents complain about the condition of the destitute, and that they are not being treated properly.
"It only gets worse"
"We come here every day, and we see how the situation is only getting worse. Someone needs to take responsibility and prevent the next incident," says a city resident who regularly spends time on the promenade. "The ongoing maintenance of the promenade is no less important than investing in its beauty. It's not enough to build a beautiful promenade if you don't take care of the safety of those who spend time there and its long-term maintenance," she says. "Many accidents would be avoided if the promenade were properly maintained, and it would certainly be more attractive," she concludes.
"How many more people need to get injured?"
The municipality, for its part, claims that the issue is being addressed, but it seems that the reality on the ground is different. "Every time we contact them, they tell us that it is being addressed, but so far we have not seen any change. How many more people will have to be injured for the municipality to understand?" asks angrily one of the city's residents who usually spends time on the promenades every week.
The case of the woman who was injured in the face is another warning sign that immediate attention is needed to address the issue, before more people are injured, God forbid, even more seriously.
The Haifa Municipality responded:
"As we have previously stated: Inspection and maintenance of the decks is carried out on an ongoing basis, while dealing with increased wear and tear in a complex marine environment. After a planning process for the general restoration of the deck surfaces, the replacement of the first deck surface with materials suitable for the marine environment is currently complete. The Haifa Municipality will continue to replace all surfaces for the benefit of the public."
And the fact that they covered a large part of the promenade in the Maxim restaurant area with small pieces of glass, does that make sense? Glass on the beach? This practice was never planned here.
Do as I advise, do not approach the city of Haifa solely to pay taxes to the Haifa municipality. Good morning and have a good week.
Do like me, don't go near Haifa, just pay taxes, file some reports, and that's it, don't go near it.
I've been complaining and taking pictures and sending them for several years. I've fallen and been injured several times.
The wood from which the deck is made is not maintained, the screws come out of place and the boards are loose. The lady who tells the story is right in every word. Whoever designed the path only thought about beauty and not about the future. How much should be invested in maintenance. During the term of Clich, I complained and nothing was done. The municipality makes a small local repair and everything else continues to deteriorate. Wood and screws are not suitable for the beach.
Since the last fall, I haven't looked much at the beauty of the landscape and just watch my steps so I don't run into an obstacle.
In areas near the sea, only hard materials should be used. Wooden parquet in such a place suffers from increased wear and tear, and the municipality did not understand this during the planning process.
Those who do not maintain the deck that makes up the parts of the boardwalk reach a point where it endangers those walking on it.
Taxes*
Investing 10 million shekels in skylights in a stupid project that won't bring a single tourist instead of building water sports centers, restaurants, and repairing the decks like in Tel Aviv.
If they had invested in regular maintenance, it wouldn't have come to this. The deck can hold up very well if it is cared for and maintained. Will the Haifa Municipality replace the deck with another ugly baton?! That's also the name of the signs in the playground that were torn in the wind because they weren't fastened.
If there is no maintenance, no matter what surface is used, there will be hazards. Everything requires maintenance. You can see a lack of ongoing maintenance throughout the city.
Here's another example: stairs. How many broken, dirty, and railingless staircases are there in the city? Is it so difficult to maintain and renovate and put in a railing and a light fixture?!
Eyal, every word is in stone!
Maintenance! Maintenance! Maintenance!
They just pay property taxes and water, then they say there's no money to take care of the city.
Taxes**