PLANS are underway to transform and revitalise Bulwer Park into a safe, clean and vibrant space for Glenwood residents and visitors to help boost the local economy by making it attractive to tourism and businesses.

The Bulwer Park Revitalisation project, spearheaded by the Glenwood Urbanisation Improvement Precinct (GUIP), will see the adoption of a spot within the park that will be used by the community organisation as part of its safety and monitoring improvements to the public space neighbouring the KwaZulu-Natal Society of Arts (KZNSA). According to Pravin Singh, chairperson of the GUIP, an application is in progress to formalise the park redevelopment through the eThekwini Municipality’s Adopt-a-Spot programme.

“The Glenwood UIP is driving and funding this project. The park is within our boundary as Glenwood, and we have had engagements with other civic organisations because we want to include everybody in this development. We want to manage access to the park and figure out what we want to keep out and what to keep in,” said Singh.

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He said the first step of the plan is to have the GUIP’s office with the control room stationed within the boundary of the park, moving their container to the adopted spot and fencing it off. The office will also be used by various security personnel and companies who will be monitoring the area. “We will be here 24/7 and want to keep the vagrants (sic) out, to create good urban spaces with a balance of security and a free-for-all environment. Nobody wants to stop the kids from coming here; what we want is to maintain the place by revitalising the park,” said Singh.

His sentiments were shared by Vernon Stokes, GUIP administrator, who advocated for ‘inclusiveness but in a controlled manor’, highlighting areas under the control of the Umbilo Business Association and Pigeon Valley UIP which border Bulwer Park. Several improvements have been implemented thus far with bollards installed ‘to deter illegal and undesirable activities’. The parking area has been blocked off to control access with CCTV monitoring and Tactical Response Team (TRT) patrols in place.

Singh said the SAPS, CPF, metro police, the ward councillor, Woolworths, Astron, Glenwood Hub, Savior Café, KZNSA and Glenwood Preparatory School are on board with the plans to revitalise the park. “Going forward, access-control infrastructure will be managed by KZNSA, Glenwood Prep, and the GUIP. Designated areas are to be fenced while maintaining pedestrian-friendly pathways,” added Singh. Phase 1 initiatives are expected to be completed by the end of November.

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