A giant lion-shaped playground, now the largest of its kind in Israel and worldwide, has opened to the public at Ashkelon’s Eco Park.
The installation covers about 1.5 dunams (roughly 0.4 acres) and stands about 13 meters high. Designed and built by the Israeli company Elu Et Nitzan, the structure includes a central climbing tower connected to seven climbing tunnels that form the lion’s mane, along with slides, swings and additional play elements suited for a wide range of ages and abilities.
The playground features an extensive set of accessible installations, including sensory components, wheelchair-accessible equipment and multi-level climbing routes. It also incorporates an audio-visual system with coordinated lighting and sound throughout the structure.
Key features
The tower includes tiered climbing platforms at multiple heights, long tube slides that descend to the lower park area and a lookout point at the top offering views of the lake and surrounding neighborhoods. Children can reach the tower from several directions and can also slide through the lion’s mouth. Suspended climbing nets nearby provide additional elevated challenges.
Seven climbing tunnels of varying lengths contain internal elements such as rope passages, climbing stones and angled nets. The tunnels connect to different levels of the central tower and are accessible from multiple entry points around the structure.
Two front paw structures are designed for toddlers and younger children, with accessible slides, climbing stones, crawl tunnels with sensory panels and low climbing elements that support balance and early motor skills.
The swing arch includes a variety of seats, among them toddler seats, an accessible chair swing, a shared “bird’s nest” swing and face-to-face seats. The arch also serves as an internal climbing route.
Additional accessible equipment
The complex includes a wheelchair-accessible carousel, an accessible glider carousel, sensory music stations, a 360-degree swing, an accessible slide, a wheelchair-friendly leaf-and-rose climbing feature, a musical sphere and an accessible selfie carousel. An interactive light-and-sound game, a circular zip line and a spinning carousel for older children are also part of the park.
The shading system is built into the structure and covers all play areas, including full shading for the climbing tunnels. The lighting system is integrated into the structure’s design, illuminating both exterior and interior elements, including the tunnels leading to the lion’s head. Color-changing lights make the structure visible from a distance at all hours.
A light-and-sound show takes place once an hour, with coordinated lighting effects and music. The playground also includes numerous seating areas shaped like colorful triangles placed throughout the site.
Mayor Tomer Glam: “We are proud to launch this large and impressive playground. This is an innovative project that combines an advanced play experience with a connection to nature.”
Helen Roet-Nitzan, founder and CEO of Elu Et Nitzan: “The installation is striking in its artistic beauty and innovation. Our goal was to create an advanced, enriching and unforgettable play experience for all children.”