Parkhurst community is all about the public spaces
PARKHURST – Parkhurst is home to much-loved public spaces including Verity Park, the Parkhurst Recreation Centre and the Parkhurst Library.
Parkhurst is well-known for the variety of public spaces available to residents which include the Parkhurst Recreation Centre, Verity Park and the Parkhurst Library.
The block running along 5th Avenue from 12th Street to 14th Street is home to all three public spaces. When the suburb was originally created in 1903, there was not a great deal of town planning. However, in the 30s Johannesburg went through a boom and recreational spaces became essential.
Verity Park, which was originally the Parkhurst Soccer Club, was named after the mayor at the time who was instrumental in preserving green spaces in the city. In the 60s the recreation centre was built followed by the library.
The much-loved public spaces are one of Parkhurst‘s draw cards with many residents playing an active role in keeping these spaces cared for and used.
Last year was a successful year for both Verity Park, which was formally adopted by the Parkhurst Business Owners and Residents Association and the recreation centre received a much-needed upgrade from the City of Johannesburg.
The adoption of Verity Park formalised the capacity of the residents association to clean and maintain the park, which it had been doing previously.
Johannesburg City Parks and Zoo has also expressed their gratitude to the residents association for undertaking the task.
The Parkhurst Recreation Centre received a R500 000 upgrade following many years of neglect. In August last year, the renovations to the roof and floor were completed, which were the priorities laid out by the centre’s manager, Annette Volschenk.
The centre is well used by the community and there are 26 different activities that take place in the centre regularly, making it a hub of community involvement.
About six years ago, it was rumoured that the Parkhurst Library would be closed which caused an uproar among residents. The rumours were, however, quashed and the library remains an integral part of the community today.
You can share your thoughts by emailing laurap@caxton.co.za
