Hugh Wyndham Park in Dunkeld West has seen some major improvements this year, bringing in more residents to enjoy the beauty of this park.

Playground equipment has been upgraded and the play area has been fenced-off to create a safe, clean area for children to play in. A new gate has also been installed at the substation which was previously experiencing cable theft resulting in residents receiving power outages for entire days. The new gate has been 100 per cent effective so far, in securing the substation.

“We’re seeing people enjoying the park from early in the morning until late in the afternoons,” said chairperson of the Friends of Hugh Wyndham Park, Fran Swart.

Many of the recent upgrades have been funded by residents and the Craigpark Residents’ Association.

A netball team, which uses the park to practice at, was supported with new posts, a measured-out regulation field and coaching.

The park also hosted its first public event on Spring Day drawing in support from Executive Mayor Herman Mashaba and hundreds of community members.

The Friends of Hugh Wyndham Park have also started a Facebook page to encourage park users to make monthly or annual donations to the park’s upkeep and improvement.

Swart encourages community members to visit the park with their friends and family over the festive season.

“The park will be even more lovely once it has rained properly. Come and take a walk around. You may even see an owl if you’re walking in the early evening. The park has a natural wetland area which encourages birdlife. Please make use of the refuse bins,” said Swart.

With the help of other concerned residents, Swart hopes to fundraise to install an open-air gym and hold a number of successful community events next year. The master plan for the park includes more structured pathways and boardwalks, an informal amphitheatre, further tree-planting and protection of the wetland.

“We need funds to achieve a steady implementation schedule of upgrades,” said Swart.

If you are able to assist in any way, please contact Fran Swart on 083 283 6602 or email [email protected]

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