Upgraded public playgrounds in Beit Hanina and Jabel Mukaber

The Municipality invested approximately 200,000 NIS in the playground in Beit Hanina, located in Beit Hanina neighborhood. The upgrade included installation of a large combination structure and small facilities in addition to a safety rubber surface. The Department of Parks and Recreation worked in full collaboration with the community council in order to set up a playground in the area of the community center in the neighborhood to allow joint activities to children in the community center and the playground. Implementation of works met considerable difficulties due to lack of access to the site, which required skillful, professional and complex work that involved the use of heavy equipment and a large crane that placed the facilities in the playground area.

Another playground was upgraded in Jabel Mukaber neighborhood in an investment of 150,000 NIS. As part of the works the Department of Parks and Recreation built two playground areas, one consisting of new playground facilities for young children and the other with a combined facility for older children. The facilities were installed on a safe rubber surface and the magnificent view of the neighborhood can be seen from the playground. Here too the Department of Parks and Recreation worked in full collaboration with the community council and neighborhood residents while addressing different requests that were raised.

In its present term in office the Jerusalem Municipality, headed by Nir Barkat, makes considerable effort to improve the lives of the city’s Arab population for the purpose of closing existing gaps. As part of its efforts the Department of Parks and Recreation paid special attention to playgrounds in the east part of the city as part of the overall services provided to public recreational facilities and parks throughout the city.

And indeed, a recent survey conducted by the Washington Institute for Near East Policy shows an increase of 19% in the satisfaction of eastern Jerusalem residents with the services provided by the Municipality and an increase of 13% in their satisfaction with their quality of life.

Mayor Nir Barkat said that ”closing the gaps and the considerable investments made by the Municipality in all areas of interest in eastern Jerusalem starts paying off after many years of neglect. Unprecedented amounts were invested in planning and building, transportation, education and community and social services in the east part of the city. New classrooms were opened, HaNeviim public transport terminal was opened and the light rail is now available to eastern Jerusalem residents, providing easy and accessible public transport. We now start to see results also in recreation and leisure activities in this area.