Natalie tackles park clean-up
A resident is tackling the dirt and grime at Deodar Park.
A GLENWOOD resident is on a mission to beautify the park in her neighbourhood.
Natalie Bowden lives in the area near Deodar Park and visits the park every day. “I walk my dogs in the park every morning and visit the park at least four times a week with my daughter, Sophie, to kick a ball. I know of a few local residents who walk their dogs in the park and boys come to the park to play sports. I would love to do something to give the park a facelift,” she said.
Natalie has approached a few members of the community about her plans and has started a Facebook page to encourage people to come forward and take ownership of the park.
“There are a lot of people who are keen to help at the park. I would like to see the park kept clean and tidy, and have dustbins placed in the park. Broken swings and the see-saw should be removed and new equipment installed. Safety is another issue and trees need to be cut back to improve visibility. We need to see how people want to use the park and have it upgraded in line with this,” she said.
Natalie said the park also needed an official name and felt it would be nice to have a community notice board erected in the park with local meetings and events posted on it.
“I have spoken to the Parks Department and have been told there is a tender out at all parks for park equipment, so this won’t be done anytime soon. The Parks Department did however remove one of the broken swings last week,” she said.
She said it was important to upgrade the park as it was good to have an open space in the community and wanted to see it used to its full potential.
She is planning a meet up and clean up on the next public holiday, 16 June and the community is invited to get involved.
Ward councillor, Nicole Graham, said: “I fully support this initiative and will be in touch with Parks to map a way forward.”
People are encouraged to give input or get involved in helping out at the park, by either joining the Facebook page: Deodar Park, emailing: natalie@kzndietician.com or Karen at Glenwood Community Watch on sector2communitywatch@live.co.za
