The urban acupuncture project is underway and slowly showing results in and around Springs.
The project serves to rejuvenate the main entrances to Springs town, as well as parts of the town which are in need of maintenance.
The first two projects which aim to improve street markings, street signs and streetlights are already visible in parts of the town.
The third project will see the parks in Springs receiving a face lift and much needed maintenance.
The parks department has received an amount of R361 000 for the above mentioned project.
This money has been used to buy park furniture for various suburbs in Springs including Selcourt, Struisbult, Dersley, Edelweiss, Wright Park, Welgedacht, Daggafontein, Windmill Park and Springs Clinic.
Only one park in each suburb will receive park furniture.
The Advertiser, along with DA ward councillor Dean Stone of ward 75, visted Windmill Park, formerly known as Pioneer Park, to see the improvements that have been made to the park after project acupuncture took place.
Walking through the park, new wooden and concrete park furniture was installed; the windmills power box had been removed and reconnected.
“We are waiting for the electricity meter to be installed, so we can get these blades of the windmill moving again,” says Dean.
The restoration of the park was a community effort, with SA Reynolds Travel Centre and various other businesses who did their part in getting the park back to its former glory.
“I’ve noticed a lot of youth who regularly come to this park, we are looking into sending in proposals to metro to possibly have a life size chess set installed in the park as well as re use the old water ways of the park for a mini putt-putt golf course.”
In future Dean is hoping to reuse the area where the old mine shaft is standing, demolish it, and turn it into an amphitheatre.
The acupuncture project has been successful in many areas, the repainting of road markings and replacing of street signs.
“All the main roads leading into Springs have also been part of this face lift to revive the town”, street lights and electricity in Welgedacht, Tonk Metre Road.
Springs road works are currently busy with South Main Reef Road and Dal Fouche circle.
The paving problem in the town is also being curbed by the restoration of paving in 4th Street Springs near Hoppies pharmacy.
The acupuncture project will also focus on restoring dilapidated buildings in Springs, “the department of health will be sending notices to the owners of these buildings for them to restore them to a livable, safe condition.”
Dean also stressed that as a councillor, he is aware of the drug problem in 4th Street and has met with the police youth desk to address this.
