Parks transform townships into suburbs

On Wednesday 8 August NMBM Public Health’s Parks sub directorate, led by Portfolio head Councillor Lance Grootboom, opened four (4) parks in Walmer Township.

The newly renovated parks are equipped with gym equipment that will assist, encourage and benefit the community to exercise in order to fight obesity and ailments.

The parks house toddler play equipment and picnic chairs that will benefit small children. These parks will also greatly assist the day-care centres in the area, providing these day-care facilities with access to recreational equipment, to cater for the all-round needs and development of the child.

A unique, multipurpose sports court has also been opened. The court can be used for street soccer, basketball and netball. The court provides a safe, enclosed environment where these sports can be played, keeping children off the streets.

Each of these facilities will encourage social cohesion. The impact of these facilities will extend far beyond sport and recreation. A sense of pride in one’s community can be developed, building social capital as well as reducing crime and substance abuse amongst the youth.

The key to the success of these facilities is our implementation of the long term growth and development plan and ensuring that our future will be one where our citizens are living in communities that are crime-free, peaceful, walkable, greened, clean, accessible, connected and where socio-economic activities can occur.

Our vision is to create a city of sustainable human settlement nodes based on equity- equitable access to basic services and social support, cultural and sports facilities, to green spaces to clean environment and pollution free air, to safety and to choice.

More parks will be opened throughout the city in the upcoming weeks and months.