THERE’S a buzz of excitement around Bulwer Park as the second phase of the revitalisation project gets underway, with hopes that it will be completed by December.
According to Tozi Mthethwa from eThekwini Municipality, the next step in the park revitilisation is the conversion of the existing depot building within Bulwer Park.
“The conversion is aimed at creating a facility that will provide ablution facilities for park users in conjunction with a restaurant/café space,” she said.
Mthethwa said the second phase of the construction is already underway. A major part of the old depot, which lies within the existing running track at the intersection of Ebor and Bath Roads, was demolished.
“The new building will sit over the previous building site. The facility will include public ablutions, a security office, and a restaurant space with both indoor and outdoor dining areas overlooking a terraced landscaped area. It is anticipated that the construction will be complete by December,” she said.
Ward councillor Nicole Graham said: “I think the further upgrades at Bulwer Park are overdue and welcomed. I’m glad it’s finally happening. It was initiated some years ago before my term of office and I think the response by the community to Bulwer Park and how many people regularly use it shows how needed valuable public open space is, public open space that can be utilised in the way the community wants, for example the jogging track and the gym. I’m glad that the upgrades are being done.”
She said the project will also employ local labour, and felt it was a great contribution to what is becoming the heart of the Glenwood community.
The plan to upgrade the park was put into action following years of public consultation and planning, and work on phase one, which included the multi-purpose foot path, outdoor gym, new lighting, benches, bins, cleaning up of playground equipment and drinking fountains, was started in 2012.
Other work undertaken at the time included clearing up and securing the gatehouse as well as negotiations with KZN Heritage Society and AMAFA to start with the gatehouse restoration.
The aim of the project is to create a multi-functional space that will encourage more people to use the park and link it to the Davenport precinct with its many restaurants as well as the KZNSA Art Gallery.
Future phases include a pedestrian boulevard which will be an open public area with three new proposed commercial developments. KZNSA will open onto this area which will be the main centre of activity. Plans are to revive the concept of a coffee shop at the gatehouse at the park.
Also on the cards is an elongated upgraded playground area alongside the boulevard which will include new play equipment and different play nodes which will be undercover.
There is also the plan to create an amphitheatre or performance space close to the existing proposed multi-functional community facility (former Parks depot building), designed to reinforce the park environment.
In future there will also be the creation of an attractive pedestrian movement system in the park through pathways. This will ‘stitch’ together the independent park zones into a single entity with a restored focus on pedestrians.
Lastly, there will be linkages with the D’Moss area at Pigeon Valley and the park will be forced and will include a biodiversity garden in Bulwer Park.
