Eshkol (Habesor) National Park

The Eshkol National Park - at 3,500 dunams Israel's second largest, after the Carmel Park - was set up jointly by the National Parks Authority, the Jewish National Fund and the Merhavim Regional council.
The National Park stretches along the banks of the River Besor, from the Ofakim-Nirim road in the north to Tel Seru- han in the south. The park is on road 241, about 30 kilometers from Beer Sheba, 10 km. from Ofakim and 113 km. from Tel Aviv.
The River Besor is mentioned in the Bible, in the incident where David struck Amalek: "So David went, he and the six hundred men that were with him, and came to the brook Besor, where those that were left behind stayed. But David pur- sued, he and four hundred men: for two hundred abode behind, which were so faint that they could not go over the brook Besor" (I Samuel, XXX, 9-10).
The Besor is the largest wadi in Israel, draining an area of thousands of square kilometers, from Rosh lohar in the east, the Hebron hills in the north and the Negev mountain in the south. In the rainy season 5-15 million cubic meters of water flow in the stream.

Erosion along the banks has created a unique, wild land- scape, reaching a width of 1.5 kilometers, in contrast with the broad flat spaces of the northern Negev.
The springs yield some 500,000 cubic meters per year, but because of its high salt content it is suitable only for special crops.
The dominant trees are the palms, thousands of which .;over a wide area of the park. In addition, Pistacia trees, olives. California peppers, tipuana trees and va- rious types of acacias have been planted, all of which grow well in the loess soil of the region.
The site contains ancient remains from the Chalcolithic to the Roman-Byzantine period. . At this stage the park encompasses approximately 1,000' dunams, and its development is planned in such a way as not to spoil the special landscape of this area.
The park was prepared speedily to provide the residents of the development townships and the Negev, as well as the general public, with a much-needed re- creation and amusement area after the withdrawal from Sinai.
An observation post has been constructed to give a good view of the surroundings, and there is a small lake, fed by the spring-water. But undoubtedly the main attraction for the general public is the swimming pool, the largest in Israel at 3,500 square meters. Awnings around the pool provide shade, and showers and toilets are available. Sports facilities have been prepared, trees planted and lawns sown.
The park's wide area, its wealth of flora and the facilities it otters permit it to accomodate many thousands of holidaymakers a day.