פארק נחל באר שבע, Urban park in Beersheba, Israel
Beersheba River Park follows the Beersheba stream for about 8 km, from Tel Beersheba to the Neve Ze'ev neighbourhood, across roughly 5,300 dunams. Its centrepiece is a 90-dunam artificial lake fed with treated wastewater and filtered by three ecological ponds planted with wetland vegetation, without chlorine. Around it lie lawns, picnic areas, cycle paths, 11 orchards, a sports complex and the country's largest amphitheatre, with about 12,000 seats.
The riverbed was cleared of sewage, construction waste and quarry debris between 2000 and 2001, and the master plan for the park was approved in January 2002. In October 2009 the government allocated 150 million shekels over seven years, with 21 million from the Transport Ministry for access roads; Keren Kayemeth LeIsrael and private bodies also funded the work. The Chalcolithic site at the junction of Nahal Beersheba and Nahal Beka, home of the Beersheba culture of the 4th millennium BCE, lies within the park area.
The park serves as a gathering place where residents spend time with family and friends, especially during outdoor events and celebrations. People use the open areas for picnics, walks, and socializing throughout the week.
The park runs about 8 km along the Beersheba River channel, from Tel Beersheba to the Neve Ze'ev neighbourhood, so pick a section rather than trying to cover it all. The northern Imber promenade and the southern Neve Noy promenade are linked by the Pipe Bridge, which is lit in changing colours at night. The riverbed lies in the desert, so walk in the cooler months and carry water.
The lake is filled with treated wastewater and kept clean without chlorine by three ecological ponds whose wetland plants filter the water. The artificial lake covers about 90 dunams, the largest in Israel, and has bridges, artificial islands and a pedal-boat dock.
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