Independence Day has officially launched the beginning of the picnic and barbecue season, and in a number of cities in the country it has also launched a welcome phenomenon of social sensitivity, inclusion and tolerance, which is reflected in giving up fireworks displays that weigh heavily on an important and expensive group of citizens.
In this spirit of consideration and vision of the other, this time we have chosen to bring in the section beautiful places in nature that extend the possibility of spending time in them even to those who are not independent in the field: the disabled, people with disabilities and the blind.
This is thanks to various means of accessibility and advanced technological solutions.
The Blind Park in the Ben Shemen Forest, Photo: Bonnie Sheinman, Photo Archive
Sound signs in nature
One of the technological solutions that allows access to nature sites for people with visual impairments is the Step-Hear system, an Israeli development that enables orientation and finding a way in the public space, inside and outside buildings.
The system includes sound signs installed at nature sites, and constitute a sound anchor point for orientation in space.
The signs can be activated through a free app that provides voice guidance for orientation in space and the continuation of the route, or through a bracelet-sign given by the state subsidy to holders of a blind certificate.
The system is installed at sites such as Agmon Hahula, Kabri Forest, the Kabri Archaeological Park, the Naomi Shemer Trail in Ramat Gan, the Maccabim Blood Promenade in Modi'in, and more.
Recently, the system was also installed at Mitzpe Beit Eshel in the area of Nahal Beer Sheva Park, and in the Ilanot Forest in Sharon, a magical botanical forest where 750 species of trees grow that represent a variety of places around the world.
A tour of the forest is a particularly enjoyable experience that allows you to get to know different and special trees.
For those who cannot clearly see this beauty, explanatory signs have been placed for orientation in space, as well as sonic knowledge.
Among the attractions you can meet in the forest: an engagement trail, a botanical garden, a maze of trees, interactive play experiences for children and more.
Accessible route in Nahal David, Photo: Hagar Nachmias
One of the exciting places accessible to the visually impaired is the blind trail in the Ben Shemen forest, a trail that is about half a kilometer long and allows the blind to navigate through a metal railing that stands on its left side, and accompanies the route along its entire length.
The path is made of a compacted substrate 2.5 meters wide, with before each turn on the path there is a noticeable change in the texture of the path to warn in advance of the turn.
Signposts made of relief were placed at the important stations, including a Braille explanation, and illustrations that could be deciphered by touch.
In addition, in recent years, the JNF has made access to many areas in parks and forests, including the Jordan River rafting parking lot with picnic table complexes, a 200-meter walking path leading to the Jordan Observatory, as well as a pergola and observation benches; Kiryat Ata View Road; In the Beit Keshet forest, where a hiking trail was made that leads to an observation point on Mount Tabor, and more.
The full list of accessible JNF sites can be found on the JNF website.
The Israel Accessibility Association also works to promote accessibility for people with disabilities, in order to enable them and their families to integrate into society with equality, rights, dignity and maximum independence.
Information on accessible tourist sites throughout the country can be found on the association's website.
A trip on a tracker, Photo: Yoav Alon
Trick to trick
Another venture that helps people with walking disabilities experience nature in full force, and also on more challenging field trips, is Paratrek.
This is a project set up by Amar Tzur to allow his father Shmulik, who was fatally wounded in the Yom Kippur War and became disabled, to travel in the field, even today when he is 69. Omar developed the Trekker.
A wheelchair that allows passage even on narrow paths, between rocks, and in difficult terrain conditions.
He started the company after going on a field trip with his father in the Taurus Mountains in Turkey, and as part of it he leads hiking groups that combine people with disabilities and those without disabilities.
Details on the Paratrek website and cancel: 052-3750767
Accessible sites
The Nature and Parks Authority also considers it important to make nature reserves and national parks accessible to people with disabilities.
Among the accessible sites in the north: the lower parking lot in the Nahal Eyun Reserve in the north, which includes a circular walking path made of asphalt, a lookout point and an observation deck over the oven waterfall and shaded picnic corners;
The springs complex in the Nahal Hermon Reserve (the Banias) includes paved paths and bridges to the springs, shaded picnic corners, benches, handrails on the stairs, and directional signage and identification.
In the Dan Reserve, concrete and wooden paths leading from the foyer to the main points of interest were also made accessible, including a floating wooden path that passes through the thicket of vegetation and reaches the paddling pools in the heart of the reserve, with observation points and bridges over the stream.
Along the paths, seating areas were made accessible for rest.
Ein Afek Nature Reserve, Photo: Gisel Hazan Nature and Parks Authority
In the Ein Afek Nature Reserve, the ancient flour mill, the concrete paths leading to it, the floating bridge on the track, and observation decks overlooking the pools were accessible.
In the center of the country, Nahal Alexander National Park is accessible via a wooden deck leading from the parking lot to a shaded picnic area with a table and benches, a descent path to the wet sand line, a shade shed on a thin wooden area in the dry sand area, and beach showers.
The Apollonia National Park has a picnic area, as well as a circular concrete path leading from the parking lot to the antiquities site, and an observation deck with views with benches.
A wheelchair can also be borrowed for a tour of the site.
The eucalyptus grove of Yarkon National Park in the Tel Afek complex also offers picnic areas on concrete surfaces, an observation corner near the lake and the paddling pools, and along the lake there is also a perimeter path made of a compacted substrate that rises towards the fortress.
In the Ein Gedi Reserve in the south, a section of about half a kilometer was accessible in the Chal David, which includes a path adapted for wheelchairs, a comfortable plaza and an observation deck, an audio station, and an observation of the "Olympic" waterfall.
The trail allows hikers to enjoy rest areas in the shade of acacia trees, with chamois and rock rabbits by their side.
Another recommended accessible site is the Ami Trail promenade on the banks of the Jordan, between Sde Nehemia and Kfar Blum.
The route is flat and one kilometer long, and the promenade is wheelchair accessible and passes between lush green vegetation, to the sounds of the river and waterfall.
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