New Bike Park in Kibbutz Bari Symbolizes Resilience and Return
Translated & summarized from Ynet by baba
Kibbutz Bari has inaugurated a new pump track park, the first construction project outside the kibbutz since the October 7th attack. Funded by philanthropist Sylvan Adams and the Israel Cycling Academy, the park honors victims and symbolizes the community's resilience and return. The facility aims to boost morale, aid in rehabilitation, and serve as a hub for sports and community activities in the recovering Western Negev region.
The story in 5 lines · by baba
- A new pump track park opened in Kibbutz Bari, symbolizing a return and resilience after the October 7th attack.
- The park, funded by Sylvan Adams and Israel Cycling Academy, honors cyclists murdered on October 7th.
- It is the first construction project outside the kibbutz since the attack and the largest pump track in Israel.
- The facility aims to aid in the community's recovery and revitalize the Western Negev region.
- The park will host the Israeli Pump Track Championship and a qualifier for the World Championship.
A new "green" facility, the Bari Park featuring a state-of-the-art pump track, has opened near Kibbutz Bari, marking the first significant construction project outside the kibbutz since the October 7th Hamas attack. The park, a joint initiative by philanthropist Sylvan Adams and the Israel Cycling Academy, is dedicated to the memory of cyclists murdered on October 7th. The project aims to aid in the community's recovery and symbolize a return to normalcy and home.
The pump track, designed by Swiss company Velosolutions, is 190 meters long and made of a special asphalt, suitable for cyclists of all ages, as well as skateboards. It is designed to enhance young riders' techniques and will host the Israeli Pump Track Championship and a qualifier for the World Championship, the first of its kind in Israel. The park's construction involved adapting the design to avoid uprooting trees, a symbolic gesture of preservation.
Kibbutz Bari suffered extensive damage on October 7th, with approximately 130 homes destroyed. While much of the physical destruction has been cleared, the community's lifeblood has been disrupted, with most residents currently living in Kibbutz Hatzarim. The community's goal is to return and revitalize Bari by July 2027.
The new park is seen as a crucial step in this revitalization, providing a focal point for community activities and a symbol of hope. "We received more than just a bike track; it's a track of revival and future," said Aya Medan, a kibbutz member who was present at the opening. "This park will bring back the pulse to our wounded community and to the entire Western Negev."
Long-time cycling enthusiasts from Bari, including Erez Manor and Rami Gold, who were instrumental in developing the sport in the area decades ago, are optimistic about the park's potential. They hope to rebuild the "Bor Bari" (Bari Pit) nearby, a former popular cycling site. Philanthropist Sylvan Adams has pledged to consider rebuilding the pit, tasking Rami Gold with submitting a plan.
Members of the cycling community, like Avidai Bachar and Sharon Shvo, who suffered personal losses and injuries on October 7th, view the park as a vital element in the rehabilitation of the Gaza envelope's cycling communities. "This wonderful facility shows that we are strong, that we cannot be broken, and that we are here to stay," Adams stated at the opening.
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