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.
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.
The Jerusalem municipality gardening crews planted new roses.
One of Jerusalem’s largest public outside green spaces is Gan Sacher, 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.
The entrance before renovations often had signs posted. But oh that path!
This was the way the path looked before,
and this is the same path now divided for walkers and cyclists.
Gan Sacher is being well-watered and the grass is green.
Enough space for almost private exercise under the trees.
Even this rock near an entrance was cleaned up!
I went back to find a photo of before, yes it was that sad looking.
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.
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.
At this time of year, the playground would be filled with children.
Lately, the play equipment in Gan Sacher stands empty.
Notice the steps are gone. It will be interesting to see the results when completed.
Lights on were on in the building with restrooms, but no landscaping around.
Passover 2019 there was green planted all around.
I stopped going inside to check, as every time I found it clean.
I remember how thrilled to see when this was being built.
The situation before was Outrageous!
Progress and changes in Gan Sacher over the years, included the picnic area.
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?
But now those benches and tables and round things are gone.
There are even newer picnic tables
in several locations along the path inside Gan Sacher.
One area in front of the trees that border the Knesset has also been developed.
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.
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.
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.
Today you can see the results of the new landscaping.
In spite of the summer heat, and in spite of the coronavirus pandemic, the Jerusalem park spaces are being upgraded and green.
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.
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.
