South Africa: The Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality launched this year’s Arbor month in style by officially opening a newly upgraded Recreational Park in Ward 11 in Schauderville.
Speaking at the launch, the MMC for Public Health, Cllr Thsonono Buyeye, said that “this is a start of programmes that the municipality will be embarking on throughout City as part of Arbor month.”
The upgrade forms part of the City’s outdoor space upgrading and greening programme to improve the environment.
At the cost of more than R1 million, the City put up a new fence, built new playground equipment for kids, planted native trees, and added other amenities to the park.
Community members said they had been waiting for something like this for so long. “The previous park was in poor condition, and there was nowhere for the children to play,” said an ecstatic resident, who hoped that the residents would take responsibility and keep the park clean.
Schauderville is one of the most densely populated areas in the City; previously, children were forced to play on busy roads due to the lack of safe outdoor recreational facilities.