Slow progress at Mayville park

PROGRESS on the revamp of the park in Charles Henwood Road, Mayville, has been slow, but the wait will be worth it, says Maliga Naidoo from local NPO, the Leisure and Recreation Association of South Africa (LARASA).

The much-needed revamp, a partnership between Capital Hospital developers, Conforth Investments (Pty) Ltd, the Parks Department and LARASA, was launched last June after the developers, who had been using the park to store building equipment and rubble, committed to restore and improve the park at its cost on completion of construction work at the hospital.

In April 2019, a meeting was held to discuss the way forward for the revamp project, followed by a further meeting in June. Naidoo said LARASA wanted to be involved in developing the park together with the community so a community forum was formed to liaise with residents to develop the park.

Together with architectural students from UKZN, plans were drawn up for the layout of the park, which includes four zones to cater for all age groups.

Speaking to Berea Mail, Naidoo said there had been delays experienced regarding the development of the park such as inclement weather, and the project had been put on the back burner since October. She said since the end of December however, some progress had been made.

“Two flood lights were installed just before Christmas, which are stunning and light up the park. Residents are pleased that visibility in the park has been improved. It is our aim to make the residents happy and to create a public space for them. With lights and with the trees having been lifted, visibility has improved and there are less places for people to hide,” she said.

ALSO READ: Exciting plans for Mayville park

She said gym equipment was installed two weeks before Christmas and she had seen children going down to the park to have a look.

“ I observed two children running up and down the bank and all around, having a great time. As resourceful young minds, they found a piece of cardboard and were ready to go sliding down the bank. I really felt sorry for the dad, who no doubt must have had quite a task getting them back home! There is clearly a need for this park,” she said.

Naidoo said she hoped in around two weeks’ time further progress would be made on the project. She said the park had recently been leveled, and playground equipment was being installed this week.

Paving has also started. Naidoo said that they were trying to make the park as inclusive as possible and the playground would also be accessible for children with disabilities.

“We will be working on paving and features such as the flower beds, the herb garden and gazebo, and we have designed a trail on the outside of the park where people can walk, run or jog. There will be a few quiet spaces where people can sit and read or relax, and there will be access to the park from the hospital. I have heard that some of the cardiologists are excited about this as the physiotherapists can bring patients to the park for physical activity. So there are benefits for patients, residents and office bound workers around the park. We just want to get the show on the road now,” she said.

Naidoo said she considered this park as a long term work in progress, and trusts that after they have left the site, more interesting activities can be added to create the ideal space for all to enjoy.

Do you want to receive news alerts via Telegram? Send us a message (not an sms) with your name and surname to 060 532 5535.

You can also join the conversation on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

PLEASE NOTE: If you have signed up for our news alerts you need to save the Berea Mail Telegram number as a contact to your phone, otherwise you will not receive our alerts

Here’s where you can download Telegram on Android or Apple.