Major Wynberg Park upgrade

INLSA

Residents have been asked to come up with ideas for the citys planned upgrade to Wynberg Park. Some of the plans include upgraded walkways, additional parking and landscaping improvements. Photo: Courtney Africa

Zara Nicholson

Metro Writer

A MAJOR upgrade for Wynberg Park is on the cards – and the city is asking residents to submit ideas for a “master plan” for the park.

Several other parks on the Cape Flats are also going to be upgraded. Skateparks, an outdoor gym, an amphitheatre and a BMX track are among the features envisaged.

Wynberg Park was established more than a century ago and has become a popular setting for picnics, braais and film shoots.

The public participation process for Wynberg Park has been opened and will run until March 28. The proposed upgrades include new surfaced pathways, more parking areas, additional lighting and landscaping.

The first of two public meetings is to be held at the Simon van der Stel Primary School on Thursday.

The city said yesterday it was developing a master plan that would guide the development of Wynberg Park.

Improvements were made to the park recently, with ramps being built for wheelchairs to get to the public toilets, the playground revamped and the parking area extended.

Mayco member for community services Belinda Walker said: “Wynberg Park is a beautiful and significant space and has immense value as a place for recreation and relaxation for our city.

“We call on residents and visitors to attend this public meeting to provide input into the Wynberg Park Master Plan process.

“This is the only way that the city can ensure our parks and facilities are designed by the community, for the community.”

A budget had not yet been allocated for the upgrades.

“We are asking the community to give their ideas, at the moment the budget just covers general maintenance, but if we are going to plan a major upgrade then we will attach a budget to it,” Walker said.

The city is also to upgrade other public spaces, including the Khayelitsha Wetlands Park, for which R500 000 has been set aside to upgrade ablution facilities, as well as for the installation of a spray fountain and additional park equipment and landscaping.

The city said that over seven years, R10.5 million had been spent on this park.

The Surran Road Park in Hanover Park is to be upgraded to host weddings and children’s parties. Improvements include a skatepark, a children’s play area, lawns, and an amphitheatre. The city is to spend R2.3m on this park.

In a R32m project, the park in Valhalla Park is to be given a full-size synthetic soccer pitch, a clubhouse, a BMX track, playgrounds, and an outdoor gym.

Comments on the Wynberg Park upgrade may be sent by fax to 086 295 5668, e-mail to adam@elastudio.co.za or post to Earthworks Landscape Architects, Unit 2, The Space, Westlake Business Park, Cape Town.

zara.nicholson@inl.co.za