Xtreme Park unveiled

Johannesburg Mayor Parks Tau has unveiled the new Sophiatown Xtreme Park.

Tau was accompanied by an entourage of international delegates, as well as City Parks and Zoo director Bulumko Nelana. Tau expressed his excitement about the park and that his parents used to live in the area before they were moved to Soweto by the apartheid government.

Nelana said the first phase of the revamp included grass laying, braai structures, walkways and a children’s playground.

According to Nelana, toilet facilities are part of the second phase, which should be completed in three months.

“The park is surrounded by a residential area and most people who use it are residents; this is the reason we didn’t plan toilets in the first phase. It will be easy for the community to use their own for the moment.”

Nelana promised that security would be hired for the park.

City Parks would also allow the community to honour icons who come from the area, by voting for icons whose faces they want sculptured and displayed in the park.

Ward 86 councillor Steve Kotze said he was involved with the park’s conception, and was happy about its unveiling. He added that he was concerned about the community’s well-being, and he would push for the toilets to be completed in the first part of phase two.

According to Agnes Bickart, one of the international delegates at the unveiling, the park is in a beautiful location but lacks bigger trees and plants. “I would put more playgrounds for children, but this is a very good start,” she said.