Deir Abu Daef | Construction of Park Project

In Deir Abu Da’if, the creation of a public park was not a luxury or an optional beautification project—it was a response to a pressing need for residents who, for years, lacked a green space to restore balance to their daily lives. In Area “C,” where planning is restricted and urban or developmental expansion is tightly constrained, the project carried a clear message: the right to a healthy environment is not a privilege, but an essential pillar of resilience and dignified living.

The Deir Abu Da’if Public Park was born from a simple idea but executed with a long-term development vision. Rather than being treated as a recreational expense, the park was designed as a community asset. A strategic partnership between the village council and the private sector ensured its financial sustainability and relieved the council of operational burdens. What could have been a budgetary liability instead became a revenue-generating resource, strengthening the council’s capacity to expand services and launch new development initiatives.

The economic impact was visible from the start: 30 new job opportunities were created for local youth, and the additional revenue now feeds directly into the council’s budget, enabling reinvestment in infrastructure and public services. More importantly, the project demonstrated in practice how empty spaces can be transformed into productive assets that drive the local economy.

The social impact went beyond individual benefit. From the early stages, residents actively engaged through volunteer work and later formed a permanent volunteer team to help manage and maintain the park. This collective involvement turned the project into a true community asset, reinforcing the idea of a shared space that everyone feels ownership of and responsibility toward.

Environmentally, the park became a much-needed natural outlet in the heart of the village, improving public health and restoring residents’ connection with their surroundings. Yet it also carried a quiet political dimension: in a context where Area “C” restrictions stifle development, the park stands as evidence that community willpower can break through constraints and create new spaces for life.

The story of the Deir Abu Da’if Public Park captures how a local project can integrate economic growth, social empowerment, environmental sustainability, and a national message of resilience. It is not simply a green space, but a testament to how smart planning and participatory governance can transform the simplest ideas into strategic projects with far-reaching impact.

This projects is part of the Sub-Grant Program, which is implemented by the Association of Palestinian Local Authorities (APLA) in Area C. The initiatives under this program are not merely about infrastructure improvement, but serve as practical tools to keep communities rooted in their land, expand spaces of life in the face of closure and confiscation, and turn development into a daily act of resilience that safeguards rights, memory, and existence.

funded by: the European Union and the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC)