Residents celebrate suburb at the Park

Residents converged in the park throughout the whole day, with lots of stalls set up in the area allowing residents to buy art items, food and many other great things.

The celebration initially started in 2015 and has been going on every year since its inception. The Love Norwood Day was started after it was established that Norwood Park was rapidly degenerating and City Parks did not have the resources to maintain it.

“Love Norwood Day was conceived as a day to celebrate our neighbourhood and park, and to earn money to maintain the park. We need about R30 000 a year to keep the park clean and to keep the toilets in working order, and we raise that through Love Norwood Day,” said Brett McDougall from Norwood Oaklands Residents Association.

Some of the activities in which the RA is involved with include partnering with business property owners to keep Grant Avenue clean and to beautify it.

“Our most recent project has been the planting of over 40 wild olive trees in pots,” he said.

Other projects include the Gardens Conservancy, fight for liquor applications where it will result in the degradation of the neighbourhood, neighbourhood pride among others.

Anaron Bogatie, who is the CPF Sector 4 chairperson, said he was grateful for the residents to visit the area and enjoy the park without any fear of being mugged or any crime incident. “It feels good to love Norwood and being in the park and feel safe.”

Ward 73 councillor Eleanor Huggett said the celebration was one of the best occasions to celebrate the suburbs.

Police who had also put up their stall on the day to create awareness among residents encouraged residents to report crimes and work together as a community and ensure safety in their area.

Related article:

https://northeasterntribune.co.za/188265/love-norwood-day-raises-r25k-to-maintain-park/