Ariel Sharon Park, Hiriya, Israel Transformation of the Hiriya garbage mountain into a landscape park

From a distance Hiriya appears as a "mystical mountain" in the middle of the vast river plain of Ayalon and Shapirim.
The fascinating silhouette, characterized by steep slopes, is to be preserved, but its interior is to become an open and public Mediterranean landscape, in its center the wet and green oasis as a symbol of rich nature. Two rivers currently running directly at the base of the mountain will be relocated to the plain as naturally meandering watercourses. Following the existing topography, a shallow ramp will lead up to the plateau. The foot of the mountain will be secured by a new tree-covered terrace, offering a variety of opportunities for recreation, play and sport.

1st prize in the international competition 2004

The transformation of the huge mountain of domestic waste is the first part of the Ariel Sharon Park, the execution of which has begun.

The Beracha Foundation and its director Martin Weyl had recognized the potential of the striking as a mesa appearing landfill in the middle of the wide flood plain of the Ayalon early and started an approach with art - workshops in 1999. In parallel with planning workshops and competitions, an old hall was converted into a Visitor Centre providing information on forms and possibilities of recycling and on the steps taken to transform the landfill.

From a distance, Hiriya appears as a "mystical mountain". The genius loci fascinated not only artists and landscape architects, but also scientists and engineers involved in the various planning processes.
The mountain is surrounded by two rivers that gnaw at the lower edge of the escarpment. For nine months, Hiriya resembles a desert, where hardy plants survive despite heat, drought and exposure to methane. Piled rubble is used to secure the base of the mountain, preserving the silhouette of the steep slopes.
A sequence of five elements will transform the semi-desert into a new landscape:
- a wadi with meandering watercourses in the plain,
- a stabilizing foot terrace covered by shady groves,
- steep slopes covered with vegetation similar to gariga,
- a plateau with a semi-natural low plant cover structured by drainages,
- a protected oasis inside the mountain with lush horticulturally maintained vegetation.
A "Belvedere" cut into the edge of the slope dominates the park in the Ayalon plain due to its prominent position.

The wadi is created, after relocation of the streams at the current foot of the slope, in a further planning step as a retention basin for periodic floods: a gentle park band in the flood area with taller trees and branching streams and paths.
Ramps and bridges connect to the higher foot terrace. 7 million cbm of building rubble are placed here, covered with excavated material from the wadi and planted with trees in the style of "agricultural patterns", which form a wide ring around the entire park.
The steep slope is left to natural succession, initial sowings guide the development towards a Mediterranean vegetation type.
The plateau and interior of the hill will be sealed to prevent off-gassing and infiltration of rainwater into the landfill. Drainage layers between the seal and vegetation layer and drainage lines, visible as green strips, collect and direct precipitation to an underground storage system.
The irrigated terraces on the inner edge of the plateau remain green and lead to the "giardino secreto" in the central hollow of the hill. The form and material adapt to the settlement of rubbish dumps that is still taking place: With their differently sloped elevations, the dry stone walls appear to be in oscillating motion.
In the oasis, a special irrigation and retention system allows for dense, almost tropical vegetation. The drainage layer drains into a fully sealed pool - a reservoir that is more than 50% covered, simulating the system of real desert oases. Earth and stone bodies installed above the water horizon will grow plants that, like palm trees, "have their feet in the water, your heads in the fire." The underground reservoir is designed to minimize evaporation and keep the water cool. Trees of varying canopy heights form a double canopy, providing invigorating shade in Tel Aviv's hot summer.

A previously poured, then to the existing topography leaned flat ramp leads to the plateau. A shuttle - service brings visitors to the Belvedere since 2011. Constructed like a group of trees below the edge of the slope, the viewpoint shows the skyline of Tel Aviv.