As part of Shmittah preparations ordered by Jerusalem Mayor Rabbi Uri Lupoliansky, the Municipal Department for Urban Improvement recently completed extensive work to upgrade and develop landscaping throughout the city at a cost of several million shekels.

Development and gardening work was carried out at new squares in places like the Shmuel Hanovi neighborhood, Ramot, Ramat Eshkol and near Hwy. 1. New squares were built according to a new design model, and at existing squares landscaping work was carried out, such as laying grass and planting trees.

All of the squares were ornamented with various types of perennial flowers that blossom year-round.

As part of the effort to finish planting before the end of the sixth year of the Shmittah cycle, upgrading and development work was also executed in divider strips, where grass and trees were planted and flower planters were placed.

Along with the landscaping projects, the municipality also repaved numerous streets, replaced playground equipment and installed 550 benches and 400 trash containers. Fifty new benches with shade awnings were also installed in public areas and on sidewalks around the city. The Department for Traffic Safety also joined the improvement efforts and in recent weeks completed remarking street divider lines, lane lines and pedestrian crossings. Also 20,0000 flashing reflectors were laid in front of various speed bumps on city streets.

(Source: Dei’ah veDibur)