The Yarkon River and Hayarkon Park
On both sides of the Yarkon River is the Hayarkon Park, Tel Aviv’s major green space. This 1,000 acre expanse of green lawns, tree filled areas and areas for activities is located on Rokach Boulevard, separating north Tel Aviv from the city’s more suburban neighborhood of Ramat Aviv.
The Hayarkon Park offers space for every outdoor, activity a city dweller could ask for. It is a favored picnicking spot for families with children, dog owners flock to areas specially marked off for the enjoyment of their fury friends. You can feed the ducks and swans amongst exotic plants and rare cacti in the gardens. Jogging paths line the river, bike trails and a mini train veer into grassy terrain and sailing on the Ganei Yehoshua Lake, kayaking or paddle boat rentals are available for those interested in water fun. Soccer, baseball and basketball fields as well as tennis courts can be found in the Hayarkon Park. Horseback riding facilities, a 45 foot high climbing wall - the Olympus - at the Sportec, a roller blade/skating rink, a Bird Safari Zoo, a mini golf facility and outdoor exercise facilities are placed throughout the park’s vast landscape. For those interested in calmer activities, the Hayarkon Park also features six gardens, the Rock Garden, a ten acre enclosure with 3,500 species of plants and one of the largest in the world and the Tropical Garden and its tiny lake with swans, fish and a huge variety of orchids. Seven Mills, a heritage site that straddles a narrow point of the Yarkon is where historic flour mills that were operated by the rivers’s power have been restored. There is a large open air amphitheater at the Hayarkon Park which hosts many of Israel’s performers.
Just down the road from
Hayarkon Park, visitors will find the Tel Aviv Port, Tel Aviv University and the luna park – one of Israel’s biggest amusement parks and the Memadion water park which provides non-stop fun for you and your kids..