Hiria is a former garbage dump that began operation as a waste disposal site for the greater Tel Aviv region in 1952. Today, Hiria is a symbol embodying the essence of Ayalon Park: renewal and rejuvenation will create Israel's green future. Past environmental indifference and destruction is now being replaced with action and a hope for a green future.
Since 1952 Hiria has become an ever-growing ecological disaster. From the distance, it appears as a random mountain amidst the spacious Ayalon plain outside of Tel Aviv. Its size dominates the landscape with a base extending some 70 hectares (175 acres), a crown extending over 30 hectares (75 acres) and a height reaching between 70-82 meters above sea level (about 60 meters above its surroundings). Its grandeur is futher demonstrated by the fact that an international design contest was held in 1999 that attracted proposals from Israeli and international artists suggesting ways of dealing with Hiria as an eye-sore and environmental hazard. The submissions were later exhibited at the Tel Aviv Museum of Art.
Rehabilitating Hiria into a healthy public park has been guided by two main principles:
The development of a unique, multifunctional landscape that will accommodate a diverse public, free of charge 24 hours a day. Hiria's existing qualities and resources are being integrated into this plan. Implementation of this plan during the coming years will increase Hiria’s intensity and beauty until gradually it truly becomes the heart of Ayalon Park.
Reversing existing environmental damage and preventing all future damage caused by rotting waste.Visitors will not be affected by or exposed to any smells or hazards as the remaining garbage continues to decay.All odors and visual reminders will be removed to guarantee a truly enjoyable experience at the Park.
The movement to build Ayalon Park has already started reversing the environmental damage caused by Hiria.
Once garbage trucks arrived daily carrying thousands of tons of garbage for burial in the ground without any sanitary measures. Today, waste is brought to the site at Hiria where it is sorted and recycled.
Once garbage used to fester and rot causing environmental damage. Today the methane gases emitted from Hiria are harnessed and converted into energy that will be used for building and maintaining the Park.
Once Hiria was an abandoned lot attended only by staff workers. Today, thousands of visitors from Israel and abroad,including school children and youth, have started to return visiting Hiria for leisure, sport and education.
Once Hiria was the "back yard" and literally the “garbage can" of the Tel Aviv metropolis. Today is being transformedinto the area's future "front yard"
The process of renewal is underway. World renowned international landscape architect Peter Latz has been selected to head the rehabilitation planning team. As the progress continues, the rehabilitation will extend beyond Hiria to include the entire Ayalon plain until the park is complete.
You are invited to partner with us in strengthening the heart of the park. Join us and together we will ensure Israel's green future. | 
