Transforming a Dumpsite into a Community Park

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Al-Haffasi park with children playing

Al-Haffasi is a village consisting of nearly 200 residents and located on the outskirts of Tulkarem city in the West Bank. The community is marginalized and vulnerable for the lack of financial support and resources available to develop it. It is under the supervision of the municipality of a neighboring village called Kufr Al-Labad. Although the village lies in the so called Area B, the community faces numerous Israeli settler attacks and harassment since it is surrounded by Area C and near two Israeli settlements: Avne Hafez and Hahar.

In 2022, MAAN Development Center directed one of its funded projects into developing a pilot park in Al-Haffasi village called the "Environmental (Eco Friendly) Community Public Space Model". The piloted park was funded by We Effect, a Swedish non-profit organization, under the Environmental and Climate Justice Program framework. Within this program, vulnerable communities across the West Bank were targeted by various Palestinian organizations specialized in agriculture to develop their resilience towards climate change and instill accountability mechanisms on environmental violations. A notable example of an environmental violation occurred in Al-Haffasi - a massive dumpsite formed at the village's entrance road.

To the right and left sides of the entrance road of Al-Haffasi, the only route for entering the village lies waste such as animal remains, thrown utilities, and plastic waste. The area became known as a dumpsite, and the community members had given up hope on rejuvenating the area. With MAAN's intervention, MAAN project staff integrated the local community for possible ways to rejuvenate the area and prevent further littering. The proposed idea from the community members was creating the first family-oriented park to increase the visual appeal of the village. Therefore, with Al-Haffasi residents' cooperation and collaboration with Kufr Al-Labad municipality, MAAN was able to transform the dumpsite into a park.

Creating the piloted park required the constant engagement of the local community and consisted of three phases: (1) creating a campaign for cleaning the area and raising awareness on the environmental violation of littering, (2) collaborating with the local community in creating a general outline of what they would like to see in the park, and (3) engaging governing bodies to prevent littering and maintain the park's sustainability.

Cleaning the Environment Campaign

MAAN launched a cleaning campaign to highlight the environmental violation occurring at the entrance of Al-Haffasi village. Nearly 60 residents from Al-Haffasi, as well as youth and women activists, grassroots organizations, the local police department, and the Tulkarem governate and municipalities, attended the campaign. During the campaign, a sign providing a complaint service line was placed so that any community member could report an environmental violation. Launching the cleaning campaign and installing a complaint system both help to increase awareness of the effects littering has on the environment.

Complaint system sign

Design of the Park

After the cleaning campaign, MAAN spoke with the local community about what they wanted to see in the park's design. Mothers, fathers, and youth from the community requested a family-social area, a child-play area, and the inclusion of people with disabilities. The piloted park now included all these areas and a parking area. Tables and benches made of wood for leisure are found across the park, and colorful child-friendly infrastructures and games. To promote the constant inclusion of people with disabilities, a paved sidewalk runs from the park's start to end.

Furthermore, 20 solar-powered lights were installed across the park to illuminate it at nightfall to encourage environmental best practices. Additionally, trees were planted suitable for the Tulkarem governate geographic weather with an installed irrigation system to rehabilitate the land.

Sustainability of the Park

To sustain the park into remaining a safe and known area in the community, MAAN partnered with the local police department and Kufr Al-Labad Municipality. Both were engaging partners and played vital roles in the piloted park's success. MAAN developed a contract of understanding with Kufr Al-Labad Municipality to oversee the construction work of the park and supervise the park for the years to come. Kufr Al-Labad Municipality currently sends the Joint Service Council for Waste Management to empty the wooden trash bins across the park twice a month and provides the park with an internet connection.

Kufr Al-Labad Municipality has also seen the park's contribution to creating a livelier community and decreasing settler attacks. Therefore, the municipality discussed its decision to direct future funds to Al-Haffasi, such as funding to fix the disintegrated and narrow entrance road of Al-Haffasi. To hold people accountable for littering, MAAN also installed a solar-powered surveillance camera that is connected to the hand-held devices of Kufr Al-Labad Municipality members. The municipality is currently in direct contact with the police department to track littering in the areas surrounding the park.

Recommendations for a Similar Pilot

Within three months, the piloted park, "Environmental-Friendly Community Public Space Model," succeeded in eliminating pilled litter at the village entrance and rejuvenating the secluded community with a colorful and playful park for families. The park added to the visual resilience and presence of Palestinians on their lands in front of the settlers who constantly invaded and attacked the community.

Hanin Khatab, 34 years old and a mother of six from Al-Haffasi village, says there had been a massive difference between what the village's entrance looked like and how it is now. She recounts how it was an unbearable area to enter due to the foul odors from the dump. "The whole area has completely changed […]it was a disaster, the area smelled bad, and the place was known for people to throw their garbage," says Khatab.

The principal of Al-Haffasi primary school, Thaera Al-Haffasi, also expressed that "there is no public transportation for all Al-Haffasi, only private taxis, but it is expensive. So, it is rare for people to go out of Al-Haffasi village to go to parks or family outings since it is far and not practical. The people of Al-Haffasi are thrilled to have a park now. They now have a place to release their energy and somewhere nice to go just by simply walking to it."

Although MA'AN collaborated with the municipality, community, and police department, further recommendations can be taken into consideration for replicating a similar pilot: (1) engaging the local and neighboring communities in more campaigns to reduce littering, and (2) using recycled materials around the park can promote eco-friendly practices, such as recycled benches and bins. Areas that are marginalized and vulnerable such as lands sectioned into Areas B and C, have communities that lack resources, established infrastructures, and authoritative governing bodies advocating for their right to self-determination; thus, replicating a similar pilot will be promising for the resilience of these communities.

"This project is truly amazing. I wouldn't have recognized my village if you showed me the before and after results," said Hanin Khatab. This pilot park is a prime example of how campaigning for the environment and launching a project, like a family-friendly park, for a vulnerable community can add to a community's resilience, well-being, and cohesion.