Ramat HaSharon, a city of nearly 40,000 people just south of Herzliya, may be starting a new trend for Israeli cities: New specially-designed bricks will line and pave dozens of the town’s streets. Over 40,000 square meters (approximately an acre) have already been paved since 2004.
The city, which was designated number one in quality of life in a recent Geocartographic poll, appears to be a perennial “city at work.” Streets are being repaved and new squares and gardens now adorn what were until now forsaken and unsightly city locations. The latest decorative pavement-and-flowers project, begun this week, is at the Palmach-Ussishkin intersection.
Ramat HaSharon was founded in 1923 by Jews from Jaffa seeking to escape the crowded conditions there. Less than 50 percent of its 6.5 square miles of municipal area is built up, as it is bordered by two large installations that limit its growth: the large Pi Gelilot fuel and gas distribution center and Israel Military Industries' headquarters.
In addition to two high schools, Ramat HaSharon also boasts the Art Teachers Training College, known as HaMidrasha, and the Rimon School of Jazz and Contemporary Music. It is also home to the Israel Tennis Center, whose 24 courts host international, national and regional tennis tournaments.
The city's widely-admired Chief Rabbi, Yaakov Edelstein, was among the first ten students in the famed Ponovezh Yeshiva in Bnei Brak, and still retains close ties to the yeshiva.