Ashdod: The Lachish River Park

All the information about Ashdod: Lachish River Park. How many times has it happened that you wanted to enjoy a piece of nature—an flowing river, animals, chirping birds—but you don't feel like traveling far? In the Lachish River Park in Ashdod, you can enjoy all of these and more, without leaving the city limits. Right before you discover what awaits you here, let's get to know the river up close. A few facts about the Lachish River. The Lachish River stretches over 70 km, from south of the Hebron Mountains to south of Ashdod Port, at the point where the river flows into the sea. Within Ashdod's jurisdiction, only 10 km of the river pass— from Giv'at until the mouth to the sea. The river disappoints for the most part— from Giv'at Adom until the Giv'at Brit bridge, and it flows mainly with floodwater. Only in a short section 3.5 km long—from Giv'at Brit bridge to the connection with the sea—does the river become strong year-round thanks to high groundwater infiltration that drains the urban area. This is exactly the area where the Lachish River Park is located, and the water here flows all year long. So what is in the Lachish River Park? The Lachish River Park extends from the bridge of Adva Park to the mouth of the river into the sea. Along its entire length, 3.5 km, there is a wide, paved promenade that allows getting around even with baby strollers and is suitable for people with disabilities. There are seating areas, shade, lawns, water taps, restrooms, animals, sculptures, vegetation, and even a paintball area. The sculptures, planned in advance at low height, were sculpted in a Russian symposium. Why? So children can climb on them, sit on them, and even take pictures with them. What animals will you meet here? Behind cages you'll find zebras, antelopes, a white oryx, ostriches, deer, onagers (wild asses), spotted animals (נקודים), and sheep. Along the riverbank there are quite a few birds, including a curlew-like bird (קורמרן), grey night heron (ענפת לילה אפורה), crows, myna (מיינה), kingfisher (מגלן), siskins (סיגסה), kestrels? (כסופית), and agami heron (אגמית). If you equip yourselves with binoculars, you can watch them up close from birdwatching huts, and even enjoy birdwatching tours that take place here during the season. You can also learn about dolphins here, at the "Mamali"—the Dolphin and Sea Center (מחמל״י), which combines a guided visit in a museum with a tour along the Lachish River and an explanation about the dolphins' habitat. Rich vegetation grows along the riverbanks, and at the end of the park you can see a large grove of white acacia trees. In the center of the park, near the floating cube pier, you'll find pedal boats that let you sail along the river for 1.5 km. On each boat, 4–5 people can ride. The boats operate in the summer until October, every day of the week between 9:00–16:30. A boat ride costs about 50 NIS for Ashdod residents and 60 NIS for visitors from outside Ashdod, with payment for a boat and not per person. Those who arrive until the end of the promenade (toward the west) can turn left and reach directly Ashdod's sea beaches and the Pirates Park. Finished spending time at the Lachish River Park? It's good to know that next to it, in the eastern part of the promenade, is Adva Park Ashdod. How do you get there? The park has two main entrances: the eastern one from Herzl Boulevard near Adva Park Ashdod; and the western one from Laskov Street near Ashdod Port. This entrance is preferable for those who prefer to walk around the park itself. For this, at the Ashdod junction turn west (Road 41) and drive until Ashdod Port. Before the port gate, turn south (left) onto Laskov Road. After about one kilometer you cross the Lachish River on a bridge and immediately turn left to the park parking lot. Coming from outside Ashdod? Take the Ashdod interchange heading toward the city. At the Ashdod Port junction continue straight, and after 700 meters turn left at the traffic light. Another drive of about 400 meters to the traffic light where you continue straight (for Adva Park, turn left here toward Herzl Boulevards). On your side you'll see the port, and then you'll go up to the Laskov bridge over the Lachish River channel. After the bridge you'll reach a roundabout at the edge of residential neighborhoods in Ashdod. Here you need to turn around, and after 100 meters from the roundabout turn right to the parking lot (there is no signage directing to the park from this point).