Build urban park in Strandfontein

Kamalodien Parker, Portland

In July last year, we submitted a proposal to the City of Cape Town’s planning committee.

It was a funding application for a feasibility study, the refurbishment, renovation and upgrade of the Strandfontein Pavilion braai and park into an urban park, similar to the Greenpoint Urban Park.

The Mitchell's Plain and Strandfontein areas were created under the apartheid government, of which the spatial planning was designed with limited greenery and recreational areas.

Post-apartheid, little to no new recreational facilities were designed and planned for these areas.

In the Mitchell's Plain and Strandfontein surrounding areas there are limited recreational areas that are safe and allow for outdoor activities such as picnics and parties.

The areas host sporting facilities but limited picnic, outdoor gym and kids play areas.

One such area that has greatly benefited the community is the Westridge Gardens.

The Westridge Garden features a botanical garden, skateboard park, kids’ dinosaur play area and walkway.

It has hosted many successful events and political figures, of which the DStv Kyknet & Kie Mitchell’s Plain Festival is an annual event.

The Westridge Garden also allows friends and families to host parties and gatherings.

The Strandfontein Pavilion braai park is next to the pavilion and is underutilised and has become a place for vagrants and unbecoming behaviour.

During the late 1990s the braai park was a safe and secure place used by friends and family for gatherings.

As time passed the braai park was not supported and later became run down and dilapidated.

In contrast to the Greenpoint Urban Park that has undergone a drastic upgrade that has people from all areas visiting it daily.

The Green Point Urban Park features beautiful scenery, picnic areas, a vast array of biodiversity, an outdoor gym and two play parks for kids of different areas.

On completion of a feasibility study the planning committee will discover that the Strandfontein braai park is perfectly situated with a cinematic view of the beach and once refurbished, renovated and upgraded into an urban park, similar to the Green Point Urban Park.

It has limitless potential for people of all ages and attracts people from all areas.

The architectural plans for the Green Point Urban Park may be used to assist the planning team when designing the layout of the Strandfontein braai park into an urban park.

The refurbishment of the Strandfontein braai park into an urban park, similar to the Green Point Urban Park is aligned with the six goals of the City that underpin the City’s strategy of; leading a healthy and vibrant life; being educated and informed; being an inclusive and resilient economy; being connected and interconnected; building and celebrating Cape Town spirit; and inspiring an eco-friendly city region.

Funds will be allocated within the current 2022/23 financial year for the feasibility study to renovate, refurbishment, renovation and upgrade of the Strandfontein Pavilion braai and park into an urban park, similar to the Green Point Urban Park.

Furthermore, should other wards have an underspending or saving during the first half of the year, that these underspending and savings be redirected or shifted to fund the feasibility study to renovate, refurbishment, renovation and upgrade of the Strandfontein Pavilion braai and park into an urban park, similar to the Green Point Urban Park.

Funding should be ring fenced for the feasibility study, refurbishment, renovation and upgrade of the Strandfontein Pavilion braai and park into an urban park, with 24-hour, seven-day a week security, similar to the Green Point Urban Park.