Community unites for a greener playground
The park was previously neglected and occupied by people involved in drug and criminal activity until the community banned together to fight for better security and restoration of the playground.
PADFIELD Park community, with the help of the eThekwini Municipality, planted more than 40 plants and trees at the Padfield Park playground.
Also read: New fence restores fun at Padfield Park playground | Highway Mail
The park was previously neglected and occupied by people involved in drug and criminal activity until the community banned together to fight for better security and restoration of the playground.
According to resident, Riette Viljoen, the municipality planted more than 37 plants on Tuesday, 3 September to commemorate Arbor Day and 10 trees were planted later that week.
“Community members donated some aloes and the community really came together on Saturday, and it was wonderful to see the involvement and everybody’s time put in to making this a success,” Viljoen said.
According to the co-ordinator of the project, Allan Healey, the residents began a journey to rescue the park.
“We were tired of the drugs, loud music and cars racing around the park. It was a very unpleasant environment. As community, we have recaptured our park. Two homeless people who live in the community are now employed to clean the park.
“This is just our way of giving back to the community. We are going to start creating flower beds to allow the community to make a contribution and keep the momentum going,” said Healey.
He said as a resident, you don’t realise that there are a few technical things that need, to be done. “I was required to draft a list of the trees and succulents, the Park’s Department narrowed it to what we may plant,” Healey added.
Do you want to receive alerts regarding this and other Highway community news via Telegram? Send us a Telegram message (not an SMS) with your name and surname (ONLY) to 060 532 5409.
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 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.
To receive our free newsletter click here.
