WITH no definite date on when the gates of Mitchell Park and zoo will reopen to the public, the Mitchell Park Trust is working behind the scenes with eThekwini Municipality to ensure that the beloved park is returned to its former glory.

The park was temporarily closed in April by the municipality amid public outcry over the dilapidated condition of the kids play area and some of the zoo enclosures, among other issues. Garth Kloppenborg, chairperson of the Mitchell Park Trust, said that the NPO has taken on a supportive role, while working alongside the city to ensure that the gates are opened soon.

“It’s difficult to say when the park will reopen,” said Kloppenborg. “As the Trust we are working with the Parks Department to make sure that the park is serviceable before we can allow people back in. Once that has been achieved, as the Trust we will talk to the head of department for approval to reopen. It could be anytime from now, but we cannot give a definite date at the moment.”

Also Read: eThekwini extends Mitchell Park Zoo temporary closure

According to the city, the over a century old Mitchell Park Zoo was closed for refurbishment and upgrades which include the renewal of flower beds, removal of hazardous playground equipment and the construction of new paving. The park had sustained significant damage during the recent floods.

The restoration is being undertaken in partnership with organisations such as the Woodford Group and On the Verge. A contractor was tasked with revamping the park’s fencing, including the zoo. Kloppenborg said the Trust is also contributing to the revamping of the park, “We will be doing this in the upcoming week and hopefully we will have the park opened soon after. We want to have people coming back to the park because that is what it’s there for, for people to enjoy. The consequence of that will be hopefully getting the zoo opened as well. We love for that to happen and have the shop up and running as well.”

He urged concerned members of the public to join the Mitchell Park Trust and become trustees. “We want to keep the legacy of Mitchell Park and Jameson Park going. As trustees we are able to use our networks for the greater good of the park, contribute towards this purpose. We want to have a safe park and playground that kids can use.”

Kloppenborg said the Trust is in urgent need of members. “At the moment we are battling around with five members when there should be nine. If we have a few more people that could come and join us as trustees, the think tank and support network would become bigger. We can go out and get funding to bring in services to allow Mitchell Park to continue.”

The Mitchell Park Trust can be contacted on 031 303 2275 or via email at anivesh@mweb.co.za. The Trust is located at 10 Innes Road (corner of Ferndale Rd), Morningside, Durban. You can also find more information on the Trust’s Facebook page.

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