R3,5 million “facelift” for park includes recreational area

Part of the "facelift" entails erecting a fence around the park.

R3,5 million “facelift” for park includes recreational area

Date: 09 May 2021 By: Bernard Chiguvare

The park next to the N1 and adjacent to the information centre in Louis Trichardt is to get a R3,5 million “facelift”. The upgrading of the facility includes a new fence, an outdoor gym, swimming pools, a running track and even a skating area. The municipality also intends charging an entrance fee in future.

The upgrading of this popular picnic facility has been on the cards for many years. In the 2013/14 financial year, a proposal served before the Makhado Municipality to develop the area into a state-of-the-art recreational facility. The proposal included additional braai points and ablution facilities, swimming pools, a mini stage for small concerts and an open chess floorboard. Provision was also made for adventure games, such as paintball, wall climbing and kayaking. “There is a flowing water stream between the caravan park and the open park. The stream will be cleaned, and a cross-over walking bridge will be erected to ensure easy access by users,” the proposal read.

The plans seem to have been put on hold for a number of years and the first real work on the project only started a few weeks ago. According to Makhado Municipality’s spokesperson, Mr Louis Bobodi, the first phase entails fencing off the area. “The contractor, Ramashu Construction, is busy replacing the old palisade with a higher and more secure fence,” he said.

For the time being, the fence will just be on the eastern and northern side of the park. The upgrading also does not include the area where the caravan park is situated. “Currently, the fence will be erected up to Stubbs Street. For now, the caravan park is not included. However, it will be included in the next phase when we would have sourced enough funds for that,” he said.

Bobodi said that the new developments included swimming pools, an outdoor gym, a running track, a conference centre as well as a skating area. He clarified that the swimming pools will be more like splash pools than pools meant for serious swimmers. The park will also be manned by security personnel and an entry fee will be charged.

The new developments were welcomed by most sectors of the community, but some people had their doubts. “We really appreciate this development. The park has been in a poor state for a long time. We do not think anyone ever took care of it, as there are broken glass bottles, plastic bags, and papers all over. We need a place where we can relax and feel safe, but if this development involves fees, then it has to be reasonable,” said one of the people who visited the park the past weekend.

“This is the place we as a family favour most to come to, to relax, so we need it to be up to standard with more facilities. The municipality must also cut the grass on a regular basis,” said Duduzile Khumalo, another visitor who stays in Tshikota.

The park, according to Khumalo, could be very safe if a fee is introduced, as this would reduce a number of the unruly elements. He does, however, feel that children should at least pay less. “As it is, I cannot let my children visit the park alone. There are a lot of suspicious movements and the park is too bushy,” he said.

Marvil Phusawani from Nzhelele echoed Khumalo’s sentiments. “My sister and her boyfriend were robbed of their phones in broad daylight at this park last year. As it is the park, is not safe, except on the weekends when there are lots of other people in the park,” said Phusawani.

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