WATCH: uMhlanga duo tackles upkeep of parks

FOR the last six weeks, two uMhlanga residents have worked tirelessly to get a park rehabilitation project off the ground.

Shaun Peschl and Hilton MacLarty have formed the Parks Improvement Project (PIP) with the aim of reclaiming green spaces in the area.

Their first project involved the beautification and rehabilitation of the 1.5 hectare Saratoga Park on Forest Drive in La Lucia.

“My background in working with underprivileged communities and taking open spaces and transforming them was a catalyst for me to do something closer to home and for my community,” explained Peschl. “Throughout north Durban we’ve seen a general neglect to our green spaces and specifically some of our parks. Through the formation of the PIP, which will soon be registered as an non-profit organisation (NPO), we want the community to take ownership of the spaces around them and utilise them.

“We’ve employed two residents of Blackburn Village who have helped us every Sunday for the last six weeks to clean, green, beautify and rehab the Saratoga Park space. Through the guidance of Hilton (MacLarty), who is a horticulturalist, we’ve removed alien invasive species, planted indigenous, water-wise plants. We’ve done this out of our own pockets but what we would love to see is more involvement from the community as that is our endgame. Community involvement and reclamation of spaces you can enjoy picnics in, bird watch or cycle and walk around,” he said.

His words were echoed by MacLarty who said they envision the recently rehabbed Saratoga Park for families to utilise.

“The green spaces are important as they purify the air around us. Part of this project was to make this area beneficial to the residents who live around it. Prior to us removing alien invasive species and cutting the grass, the park was full of rubbish, broken glass and there was some anti-social behaviour. We also want this space to benefit nature by attracting insects and bird life to the area. We need spaces like this for our mental well-being. I’m happy to say we’ve fostered a good relationship with the eThekwini Municipality Parks and Recreation Department about this project. We’ve also helped out at the Virginia Bush Nature Reserve and have set our sights on Saxon Park in La Lucia as a possible upcoming project,” he said.

If you would like to get involved or find out more about the project, contact Shaun Peschl on 083 453 6207.

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