HaYarkon Park, in the outskirts of Tel Aviv, is a favorite for those who want to take a breather from the hustle and bustle of the city.
And much like New York City has Central Park and London has Hyde Park – Tel Aviv has its very own green lung. The 3,500 dunams park is located in the north of the city, with the beautiful Yarkon River running through it. thousands of joggers, cyclists, dog walkers, young children, and families fill the park every day, making it come alive.
If you need a break from the fast pace of the city, you can pick your spot on the grass or in one of the many benches and just spend the day soaking the sun while watching the beautiful people of Tel Aviv go by – something we recommend. And aside from the sheer beauty and tranquility of the neatly groomed lawns abutting the calm river, the Park also has some interesting features
out of the six gardens in the park – Gan HaBanim (Fallen Soldiers Memorial Garden), Gan Nifga’ei HaTeror (Terror Victims Memorial Garden), Gan HaSlaim (Rock Garden), Gan HaKaktusim (Cacti Garden), HaGan HaGazum (Trimmed Garden), and HaGan HaTropi (Tropical Garden) – there are two which are quite interesting.
The Rock Garden in the park is one of the largest of its kind in the world and reflects Israel’s geological diversity. Interspersed among different rock formations in the 10-acre park are 3,500 species of plants, including over six acres of cacti. The five-acre Tropical Garden is home to a rainforest-like micro-climate with a tiny lake that is home to swans, fish, and beautiful orchids and vines, between it a nice wooden walkway shaded by palm trees.
Not far away, also on the east side of the park, is a bird safari known as Tzapari, set in lush gardens with a beautiful mini-lake, as well as a petting zoo, a bird sanctuary, and a large soft play area for kids complete with climbing walls and facilities. Also within HaYarkon Park is one of Israel’s largest water parks (complete with water slides, a wave pool and a toddlers’ pool), a bird sanctuary and petting zoo.
HaYarkon Park also features a bike-rental center. Biking in HaYarkon park is easy because of the flat, accessible trails, and is a great way to see the park. The Yarkon River runs through the park and reaches the Mediterranean Sea at the park’s western edge, then connects into the Tel Aviv Port, an entertainment and tourism center.
Historical Attractions in HaYarkon Park
There are also a few historic sites that can be worth a visit within the boundaries of Yarkon Park. First, there is the Sheva Tahanot (“Seven Mills”) site – a historic site located on the banks of the Yarkon River. At least eleven pairs of millstones operated at the site, and was propelled by the waters of the Yarkon. Seven of the mills operated in the western structure at the site, and these gave it its name.
Flour mills were located in the area as early as the Ottoman period. Additional mills were established in the 19th century, and the place served as an agricultural center, where farmers from the area came to grind their grain and stayed there for hours and even days. For this reason, a cafe and a boat mooring were set up on the site. In 1936 the site was closed as the mills failed to compete with newer mills. The site was exposed and partially restored in the years 2000–2001 and is currently part of the Park.
There is also the site of Eser Tahanut (“Ten Mills”) that was a flour mill in Roman times, with at least twenty pairs of millstones. However, and similar to what happened at Seven Mills, the site’s name was established when only ten pairs operated on it. There is a stone bridge over the Yarkon, known as the Jisr al-Hadar (“Water Noise Bridge”), which powered the mills here at the time. It was the only bridge over the Yarkon for centuries (its construction dates back to the days of the Crusaders).
Another site, known as Napoleon’s Hill (as his army camped on it during the siege of Jaffa), is an archeological mound located south of the Yarkon River. The main find in the mound was a pit of the Canaanite water system, and others from the Middle and Late Bronze Ages. The mound, which rises to 38 meters above sea level, offers a panoramic view in all directions.
