In the urban heartland of the West Jerusalem neighborhoods of Gonen, Givat Mordechai, Bayit ve-Gan and Malcha - near the Begin Highway and the Golomb and Bayit major arteries, and only a two-minute drive from the Malcha shopping mall - Jerusalem residents enjoy the existence of a unique natural phenomenon: in the green island left among the roads and neighborhoods, known as the Pri-Har Valley, rich wildlife flourish, orchards planted on ancient terraces still bear fruit, and the natural landscape changes with the seasons. 

   The valley is best known for the herd of deer which, having survived the massive urban development of the area, sustains itself from the local natural resources. Today the herd numbers about 30 individuals. These deer are very familiar to the residents of the surrounding neighborhoods and may even be seen from cars driving along the roads encircling the valley. 

   The valley and its inhabitants are now threatened by a large construction project currently awaiting permission from the planning authorities. This project provides for a new neighborhood of some 1100 units, extensive areas for industry and offices, numerous public structures, a road and a park.

    Realization of this project will impose a death penalty on the deer. Moreover, for the residents of the surrounding neighborhoods and of all the city it will mean the loss of a precious natural asset constituting the last open space in this district and one of the few remaining natural valleys in Jerusalem. 

   The population of the surrounding neighborhoods have joined the protest mounted by SPNI, Sustainable Jerusalem and other environmental organizations in a call to preserve the valley as an open space and develop it as a deer park surrounded by a public garden.

    An alternative plan for developing the valley has been proposed by the Society for the Protection of Nature in Israel (SPNI) and Sustainable Jerusalem as part of their struggle to preserve the valley and its deer herd. The plan is based on a model of "urban nature sites" similar to those functioning in a number of big cities (e.g., London, Birmingham, New York, Barcelona), where the conservation and enhancement of natural sites are integrated into urban development projects.

    Establishing such a park will secure the conservation of the valley's unique natural resources, as well as the creation of a local model of sustainable development compatible with urban construction.

    The park will consist of a "nature zone" reserved for the valley's wildlife, surrounded by public spaces for recreation and sport. Walking and cycling paths will be laid out along the perimeter of the nature zone, complete with observation points for bird and deer watching, tables and chairs, and a visitors' center for educational activities. Such activities will include the reconstruction and study of ancient hillside agriculture installation used in this valley and throughout the Jerusalem region.