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Ashkelon on Tuesday inaugurated a monumental lion-shaped playground at Ashkelon Eco Park, describing it as the largest play structure in Israel and the world. The unveiling followed a soft launch and attracted families eager to experience the multi-sensory installation.
Developed by the Israeli design studio Elo & Nitzan, the playground spans roughly 1.5 dunams—around 0.37 acres—and rises to nearly 13 meters. City officials say the structure blends advanced play elements with the park’s natural landscape, reinforcing the municipality’s aim to create high-quality recreational facilities.
At the heart of the installation is a multi-level climbing tower that connects to seven mane-like tunnels, each offering different levels of difficulty. From the upper tier, children can descend two lengthy tube slides, with one emerging directly through the lion’s mouth, adding a dramatic entry into the lower park.
Suspended climbing nets envelop the tower, creating varied routes and wide views of the park’s lake and surrounding areas. Designers say the structure encourages confidence-building and spatial awareness while maintaining smooth movement throughout the play zones.
The front “paws” area focuses on younger children and those with disabilities. This section includes accessible slides, stepping stones, sensory panels, and ring swings tailored for toddlers and children requiring mobility support. Adjacent to it, a broad plaza features an inclusive wheelchair-friendly carousel, musical stations, a 360-degree swing, and a seated spinner zone.
A distinctive swing arch offers multiple family-oriented configurations such as a couch-style harness seat, a nest swing, and face-to-face seats. The arch’s interior frame is also climbable, appealing to older children seeking additional challenges.
Shade canopies are integrated into the structure’s envelope, covering the tunnels and play areas. Embedded lighting illuminates the lion’s silhouette at night with shifting colors, creating a visual landmark within the park. Dozens of lights and speakers power an hourly light-and-sound show that sweeps across the installation, coordinated by the municipality each evening.
Mayor Tomer Glam praised the project as a milestone for public recreation. “We are proud to inaugurate the largest and most impressive playground complex at Ashkelon Eco Park,” he said. “This innovative project combines advanced play with a connection to nature, part of our ongoing investment in high-quality public facilities for residents of all ages.”
Helen Ruth Nitzan, founder and CEO of Elo & Nitzan, called the playground a landmark in inclusive design. “Planned and developed in our Israeli studio, it delivers a multi-sensory, fully accessible play experience intended to spark imagination and serve families of all abilities,” she said.
The lion installation is part of broader urban development efforts underway in Ashkelon. The city has increased its investment in public spaces, alongside cultural and industrial projects aimed at supporting its growing population.
With its combination of scale, accessibility, and immersive design, the new playground is expected to become a major attraction for residents and visitors, reinforcing Eco Park’s role as a central recreational destination in southern Israel.