בFollowing reports about the construction of a bridge over Nahal Kishon, I went to the field to check the matter. What I found was tremendous damage done to the beautiful creek environment. Damage that calls into question the ability of the residents of Haifa to continue enjoying the park at the mouth of the Kishon River in the future. I am back with photos and explanations from the area, as I will detail in the article before you.
This is one of the components of the "Port Connections" project - a plan by Hani (the Israel Ports Company, which is a government company) to create a network of main roads on which goods will be transported to the ports of Haifa, mainly on trucks.
In the photo (above) you can see the bridge of the Julius Simon Road, which is undergoing extensive renovation and will soon become the highway for the port's trucks. The bridge crosses the Kishon Park, in its center, and therefore divides its area into 4 different parts (the park is anyway divided in two by Highway 22). The new bridge planned to be erected in place of the small bridge will be a fatal blow to what should have been a natural and public park for the well-being of the residents of Haifa Bay. Air pollution, lighting and noise will severely damage the park, in addition to the interruption of the continuity of the open areas, which is essential for the survival of many species in the wild. And if the animals suffer there then it is not clear how human visitors, who have slightly higher standards, will be able to enjoy the place.
Map for general orientation:
Additional views of the destruction around Kishon:
Just before we continue with the description of the hazards, here are some more interesting details: Here is a map for general orientation in the area of the works on the new port and the back of the port. The complex marked in red, between Haifa and Bezan and Kiryat, is an area large parts of which are under the control of the Israel Ports Company (Haani).
This is a very large area allocated for industry, storage and operation. In this area you can find the Haifa Airport, the Kishon Park, and the Michli Farm 1959.
Another pollution in the heart of the city
The main problem - the areas of the hinterland of the new port are in the heart of the Gulf metropolis, and as you can see, deepen the gap between Haifa and Kiryat and prevent the ability to allocate land for residences, green lungs and tourism. If this is not enough, the activity at the port will continue to emit various pollutants, such as air, soil and water pollution.
Below is a side view of most of the area outlined in red on the map above. You can already see the new port being built. At the bottom of the picture is the Julius Simon project. The arrow points to the photo area in the photos above.
History of knee injury
Kishon Park is exposed to continuous damage. Several years ago Hani converted a 95 dunam area, on the southern bank of Kishon Park, which has since been called "Area 95," and built on it an operational area for the needs of the port.
The huge surface 95 in the heart of the picture, turned a wild bank of a flowing stream into a storage surface. Pay attention to the proportions between the size of the surface and the size of the fishing anchor or the anchor itself. Adjacent to the surface, on the right, the Julius Simon Bridge construction project.
Another view of "Surface 95" - on the southern bank of Nahal HaKishon. A huge surface that interrupts the continuity of the open spaces.
This is what is left of Kishon Park
If so, this (on the next map) is what is planned to remain of the Kishon Park, or more precisely "the park below the Kishon." Areas for use by the port are marked in red. In bright red is the airport which may also be annexed in the future in favor of the port. In yellow, a "Gadiv" operator stands out, heralding the rest of the factories up the river - the Zan combination begins exactly to the right of the picture in the direction of the arrow. In purple is marked the fishing anchorage and in green the areas of the future park. This is what is planned to remain for the benefit of the public and nature - a dismembered and battered park with a tiny area and various impurities from all Past - air pollution, noise, lighting, and more.
Haifa and Boston signed a twin city alliance
I lived in the city of Boston for one year very close to managing Charles who crossed the city. I remember that every Sunday and throughout the week tens of thousands of people enjoy themselves outside. I remember the boaters in the river, the various boats and the tourists. I remember happy children and people working out and keeping healthy and fit. Along the river, crowds ran and rode bicycles. Elderly people sat on benches under the trees and watched the fascinating happening. I don't understand why we don't deserve it too. Why, in order to allow the Arab countries to export and import through us, we are ready to sacrifice all this. There is no benefit in this, nor significant income for the state or the municipality. Just politics of a few 'big' people at the expense of many 'small' people.
In conclusion
- The damage to the Kishon Park is an example of the extensive damage that occurs during the expansion of heavy industry in the heart of the city of Haifa. The meager area left for the welfare of the residents in the Kishon River Park - 586 dunams - will be severely affected by the development around it due to the various infections that have improved it.
- The Kishon continues to be a drainage pipe for industrial wastewater and nothing else. The natural areas around him are destroyed. A dirty and polluted sea for some reason is not enough to get people out into the streets, so without Kishon Park - who knows, maybe the serious sewage will return.
- It is sad that the Kishon, which is mentioned in the Bible several times, has no real value as an asset of the Land of Israel. Where are you lovers of the land who are willing to spare your lives for it? Where are you today while the Kishon is dying? What will you answer to your children when they read the Bible and ask where the Kishon was a few years ago and why did you stand On the other hand, while they destroyed it for nothing?
shocking