Inner Oasis - The Inner Oasis will be created from the natural inner depression of Hiria. It will be a shaded spot created by three layers of vegetation combined with open water. The Oasis will also contain a beautiful spot for visitors to rest in the shade surrounded by the green slopes of Hiria.In contrast to the other rest areas the Oasis will be an isolated green place to meet, relax and to enjoy the beauty of the plants along the open basins. It will also contain an underground water storage system for collecting water from the upper plateau and the central part of Hiria’s water collection system. The subterraneous reservoir will protect the stored water from wind and heat, keeping it cool and the evaporation levels low.
Tilting Terraces - Connected to the Inner Oasis, the Tilting Terraces will shade visitors. Dry stone walls made of recycled materials will create a system of various-sized terraces that flow smoothly into each other. A system of pathways running through the slightly sloped terraces will lead through shade provided by many trees with Mediterranean flowers emanating a fresh and sometimes sweet fragrance. Benches and smaller viewpoints will be available along the Terraces to rest and enjoy the calm and cool atmosphere. The Terraces will be bordered by four meter high walls that will slightly tilt between five and 20 degrees. These dimensions will create a unique atmosphere as they appear to be growing out of the earth and influencing the shape and feel of the Terraces.
Earth Art Piece - At various locations around Hiria, visitors will be reminded of the origins and history of the mountain as a garbage dump and environmental hazard. Two raw steel walls will be pushed into Hiria at various locations and filled with household waste to symbolize what lies beneath Hiria’s surface. These enclosed structures were created together with Israeli artist, Micha Ullman.
Recycling Gallery - A gallery will be constructed along the border between Hiria and the Recycling Park. It will be built using raw steel sheets with an average height of 8 meters each and is intended to correspond to the style of the Recycling Park and the machines used in the recycling process: steel filigree profiles are connected to massive raw steel sheets that become one piece - one machine. Atop the Gallery wall will be a catwalk with a shading roof for perfect views to understand and observe the processes inside the Recycling Park. Slits in the massive steel railing will be located at different heights to enable all ages to safely view the facilities below. The Gallery will have an overall length of 470 meters and will be connected to Hiria’s system of pathways.
Recycling Park View Point - A long ramp will ascend Hiria originating at the Visitor’s Center. Half-way up this ramp will be a view point for the visitor that offers a fantastic bird’s eye view of the whole Recycling Park. A pergola made of a simple steel profile with a roof of perforated steel plates will offer shade and allow groups to stop for lectures or explanations from tour guides. Shaded benches will invite visitors to rest on the way up the mountain.
Tel Aviv Belvedere - At the very top of Hiria’s access ramp the Tel Aviv Belvedere will be one of the most important sites at Ayalon Park. Incised between reinforced slopes, the Belvedere will open the visitor’s panoramic view towards the Ayalon Plain and Tel Aviv. The slopes will contain Mediterranean vegetation and will define a solitary platform that is designed to fulfill several functions: to act as a look-out point that invites the visitor to rest, relax and enjoy the site and to create a unique space for activities such as reunions, lectures or performances. The Belvedere will incorporate a unique shading system: five large wooden structures designed to imitate abstract trees overlapping each other, together with eight wooden poles to form the tree trunks which will support the tree canopy.
Ridge Groves - The upper plateau will be a wide open space with low Mediterranean vegetation, offering views across Hiria. Along the Groves will be several shaded foot paths leading towards the Inner Oasis. They will provide a two-layered canopy with deep shadows, benches and tables for a rest or picnic. Shrubs will be placed along the Grove’s edges to eliminate strong winds and perennials will cover the area underneath the trees. Underground water storage will be placed beneath the groves to collect the water from the upper plateau. This water will lengthen the period of natural water supply for the trees to about five months.
Jerusalem View Point - The access ramp is cutting into the table mountain shape of Hiriya creating a ridge in the eastern Part of the mountain. The end of this ridge is the right spot to create the Jerusalem View Point, because it is the only place on site with a 270° view. Visitors will have a great view over the recycling park and the two streams of the Ayalon and the Shappirim in the Jerusalem direction and also the Inner Terraces and the Oasis can be observed.
Summit View Point - On the highest point of the upper plateau, where the cooling wind is flowing over the edge of the mountain the Summit View Point offers a great view towards the Ramat Gan Park in the north and the Recycling Park in the east. The strong wind mostly coming from the west is carrying the fragrance from the see and of the plateau vegetation with it – a mix of salt, blossoms and Mediterranean herbs will encircle the visitor. |