Coming soon: Central Park in Jerusalem

No need to travel far:  A new initiative launched by The Jerusalem Development Authority (JDA) will turn the city's Independence Park into a recreation and cultural spot in the capital’s center. The park will be designed according to the Central Park and Bryant Park prototypes in the heart of Manhattan.

The development plan includes building new cafés and vending stalls, as well as setting up infrastructures for a main stage that will feature various outdoor performances.

The project also includes upgraded lighting facilities, building a water park near Beit Agron, decorating a wall with children’s stories, restoring the old Muslim cemetery nearby, and creating another entrance to the park from Agron Street.

The idea to revive Independence Park is part of a new urban planning initiative to upgrade and develop the city’s metropolitan parks, as was announced by the Jerusalem Municipality.

In order to execute the project, the JDA recently enlisted various organizations located near the park, such as Beit Avichai, the American Willep family which owns some of the property adjacent to the park, the Jerusalem Foundation and the Community Administration of Lev Hair.

The Reichmann brothers, owners of the Palace Plaza in which the prestigious Palace Hotel is being constructed, have expressed their interest in collaborating with JDA in reviving the park.

“Part of executing the Independence Park plan will begin soon by upgrading the lighting facilities and setting up infrastructures for an active stage to be built in the middle of the park, said JDA’s Deputy CEO Eyal Haimovsky.

“Fortunately, business owners around the park expressed great interest, including Café Joe..and the owners of the Chakra Restaurant soon to relocate closer to the park. Some of the cultural events usually held at Beit Avichai will also be incorporated into the new plaza.”