THE beautiful green grass, brightly painted playground equipment and overall neatness of the Graham Place Park have become legendary among residents of Durban North.
It is one of the many community-run success stories. For the last three years, community members surrounding the park have taken the initiative to beautify the quaint little park.
It all started with Bree Camps and her family, who lived adjacent to the park on Balgownie Crescent. The family began financing additional upkeep of the park, and when the family moved the initiative was taken over and continued by fellow community members, Gavin Hall, Tracy Dennison and Fiona Nortje.
The trio soon began to rally more residents to support the cause. Over the years the group, officially named the Graham Place Residents’ Forum, has grown to more than 170 members.
Since its inception the group has repaired the broken swings, replaced the rubbish bin and worked with the municipality to have bollards posted around the park. Residents have also donated a bench to the park in memory of a passed loved one.
The funds raised by the group have also been used for additional maintenance, which includes grass cutting – conducted in between the municipal’s seven annual cuts.
“The park has slowly taken shape and improved aesthetically. Before the bollards were put up, cars used to spin all the grass out of the soil. Now it is looking lovely, and we often see children playing cricket or soccer, or even sliding down the bank with cardboard boxes. My children often want to play in the park rather than our own backyard,” said Dennison.
Hall praised the efforts of Mbali Khoza of the parks department, saying her efforts have been instrumental in the beautification of the park.
Since local ward councillor, Shaun Ryley’s, appeal two weeks ago, several residents have shown interest in starting similar initiatives in their nearby parks.
“This project is a perfect example of what could be achieved by such entities. But now it is a matter of getting the other neighbours interested and involved in the project. I am happy to meet with residents to discuss how they can make this work, and the Graham Place Park Forum has said that they are also willing to share the recipe for their success,” he said.
