Jerusalem Moving Outside: Summer in Sacher Park

Jerusalem, Israel.

The sun is shining. The hot days of summer are here.

Many people on my street went away for a holiday weekend.

Life appeared to be normal, except for a few masks.

Moving outside is now the “in” thing to do.

Signs for summer outside in Jerusalem Israel during coronavirus

New signs were posted for summer under the stars at the Kahn Theater and the Jerusalem Theater.

Cultural events were stopped and theaters have been shut for months.

However, construction and road work accelerated under corona closings.

Gardner planting new roses in Jerusalem Israel

The Jerusalem municipality gardening crews planted new roses.

Jerusalem Sacher Park entrance

One of Jerusalem’s largest public outside green spaces is Gan Sacher, Sacher Park.

Sovereignty sign posted in Jerusalem Gan Sacher Park

One entrance to the park has a protest sign against building in the “White Ridge,” west of the city, proposed much needed new housing in the green Jerusalem hills.

This is one location that has greatly improved over the past few years.

Jerusalem Israel Savher Park entrance before marathon days.

The entrance before renovations often had signs posted. But oh that path!

Valley of Cross path toward Gan Sacher Park

This was the way the path looked before,

Walking and bike path Jerusalem Israel Valley of Cross

and this is the same path now divided for walkers and cyclists.

Jerusalem Sacher Park couple exercising

Gan Sacher is being well-watered and the grass is green.

Couple doing yoga moves in Jerusalem Park Gan Sacher

Enough space for almost private exercise under the trees.

Jerusalem Israel park Gan Sacher

Even this rock near an entrance was cleaned up!

Jerusalem Israel Gan Sacher Park

I went back to find a photo of before, yes it was that sad looking.

Jerusalem Israel two Muslim women walking in Gan Sacher Park

I passed two Arab women wearing masks on the walking path.

Masks are not required for exercise.

But police are giving out fines for those not wearing masks in public.

View of Sacher Park above the restaurant

The restaurant in the Gan Sacher was busy. People were eating in the open covered area and a few couples were sitting outside. Seems those seats and steps which were hard to understand in the past are brilliant for our new reality.

Sacher Park in Jerusalem play are with steps before renovation

At this time of year, the playground would be filled with children.

Lately, the play equipment in Gan Sacher stands empty.

Jerusalem Israel playground in Jerusalem Park

Notice the steps are gone. It will be interesting to see the results when completed.

Jerusalem park Gan Sacher Park

Lights on were on in the building with restrooms, but no landscaping around.

Jerusalem Gan Sacher 2019 sign for Passover

Passover 2019 there was green planted all around.

I stopped going inside to check, as every time I found it clean.

Restroom in Sacher Park under construction

I remember how thrilled to see when this was being built.

Jerusalem Israel old restrooms before renovations

The situation before was Outrageous!

Progress and changes in Gan Sacher over the years, included the picnic area.

Jerusalem Israel Gan Sacher Park cement tables i

February 2018 this was a new picnic area near the play equipment.

Those tables and benches looked sturdy. However, those round things near fields?

Guess I was not the only one confused. Were they to be used as seats or BBQ grills?

Truck in Sacher Park in Jerusalem Israel

But now those benches and tables and round things are gone.

Jerusalem Israel new picnic tables in Sacher Park

There are even newer picnic tables

Jerusalem Israel Sacher Park new eating areas

in several locations along the path inside Gan Sacher. 

Jerusalem Israel Sacher Park renovation

One area in front of the trees that border the Knesset has also been developed.

Old view of Gan Sacher when trees fell down

Remembering in March 2014, after storms, many of the old trees in that spot were down.

Some trees were marked to be saved. Some were removed.

Trees trimmed have come back to provide shade again.

Two Muslim women stopping in Sacher Park to take selfies

By the time I came around the park, the women had reached the same spot and were taking selfies.

It was time to walk home.

Road work along path in Valley of Cross in Jerusalem Israel

Not too long ago serious fire here had endangered homes on the streets above.

A few days ago the dried weeds were cut, the area was being replanted.

Jerusalem Rechavia view from Valley of the Cross

Today you can see the results of the new landscaping.

Jerusalem Israel Sacher Park

In spite of the summer heat, and in spite of the coronavirus pandemic, the Jerusalem park spaces are being upgraded and green.

Jerusalem summer activities for children in the city parks in summer 2020

New activities for young children are planned in the Jerusalem parks.

Broadway shows in New York City are closed until January.

Things may not be coming up roses everywhere but in Jerusalem,

there are new roses on the streets and people are moving on and outside.

Israeli Scouts Masada center open after COVID-10 closing

After months closed, the door to the Israeli Scouts Moadon was open.

The sounds of children’s voices could be heard again filling the Jerusalem streets.

 

9 thoughts on “Jerusalem Moving Outside: Summer in Sacher Park

  • July 6, 2020 at 11:29 am
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    Since this is as close as I’m getting to Gan Sacher for the foreseeable future, I love the photos. Thank you! Stay healthy, safe and sane!

    Reply
    • July 6, 2020 at 11:50 am
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      Thank you! I think we did a big celebration in the park one day when this is over, hope it is sooner than later.

      Reply
  • July 7, 2020 at 12:26 am
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    Thank you for all the updates. I love seeing the before and after pictures😊🇮🇱🇨🇦

    Reply
    • July 7, 2020 at 3:06 am
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      Wonderful to hear, thank you Pamela.

      Reply
  • July 11, 2020 at 1:10 pm
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    YOU FAILED TO SHOW THE EXERCISE FACILITY WHICH HAS BEEN MOST POPULAR OVER THE YEARS. THE CONSTRUCTION OF THE TOILET FACILITIES WAS DECADES LATE IN COMING. VANDALISM AND TOTAL DISREGARD BY MANY IN THROWING FOOD GARBAGE AROUND IS A CONSTANT PROBLEM. ONLY MONETARY FINES WILL SOLVE THE PROBLEM. THE MOST POSITIVE AND CREATIVE AVENUE FOR CITY HALL TO ENCOURAGE THOUSANDS TO COME TO GAN SACHER IS TO PROVIDE PARKING OR BUSING AND HAVE MANY CULTURE EVENTS ON A WEEKLY BASIS.

    Reply
    • July 11, 2020 at 6:06 pm
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      True there is a considerable amount of construction and I did not include those areas this time. Previous posts over the years had the exercise and the new monument but were not easy to access due to the construction. Parking is a huge problem. Access to the new restaurant is an issue. Since Passover last year, I have noticed considerably more efforts to keep Jerusalem and parks clean.

      Reply
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  • July 20, 2020 at 6:19 am
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    You have lots of great photographs. Thanks!

    Reply
    • July 20, 2020 at 8:16 am
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      Thank you Rikki, your comment is greatly appreciated.

      Reply

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