After decades of environmental degradation, the once-polluted Kishon River in northern Israel took another step in its transformation Sunday with the opening of a new public park along its banks.
The Kishon Bridge Park, developed by Israel Ports Company in cooperation with the Haifa Municipality, was inaugurated as part of ongoing efforts to restore the river and its surroundings. The new park offers a mix of recreation and environmental preservation, with features including illuminated walking paths, shaded seating areas and a professional pump track for cyclists of all levels.
The site also includes panoramic stone lounge chairs overlooking the river, a modern playground with climbing structures, rubber flooring and shaded areas, designed to encourage outdoor activity for children. Officials described the river as a vital ecological habitat, home to various waterfowl, reptiles and rare aquatic plants.
For decades, the Kishon River was considered one of Israel’s most polluted waterways, contaminated by industrial and domestic waste from the Haifa Bay area. A national outcry began in the 1990s following reports linking the river’s pollution to illnesses suffered by elite naval commandos who had trained in its waters. The public campaign led to increased pressure on authorities to rehabilitate the river.
Restoration officially began in the 2000s under the Kishon River Authority. In 2001, the first Kishon Park opened on an 8-acre site, laying the foundation for broader efforts to transform the river from an environmental hazard to an urban nature reserve.
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A 2011 government resolution launched a large-scale cleanup, which included dredging the polluted riverbed and building a new river channel. The work also halted sewage discharge and restored natural habitats along the banks.
Today, wildlife has returned to the area, and the Kishon is visibly cleaner. The new park stands as a symbol of the environmental turnaround.
“We’re proud to provide a new green space in the heart of the Haifa Bay,” said Pinhas Tzruya, CEO of Israel Ports Company. “This initiative reflects our commitment to balancing port operations with improving residents’ quality of life.”
Haifa Mayor Yona Yahav invited residents and visitors to experience the park. “Kishon Bridge Park offers the perfect blend of recreation, sport and a connection to the unique nature of the river,” he said. “I have no doubt it will quickly become a vibrant community attraction.”