The City of Cape Town officially kicked play into high gear when its fourth smart park opened in Nomzamo, Strand, earlier today, 15 May 2017. The R5 million facility took a year to complete and is part of an award-winning concept in park design.
The Nomzamo Smart Park is the fourth to be completed, with two more nearing completion. The other three smart parks are in Gugulethu, Symphony Way and Mandela Park.
The nearly completed parks are Seawinds and Atlantis.
‘Recreational and green spaces have the potential to transform a collection of houses into an integrated and vibrant community. The Nomzamo Smart Park design shows a real understanding of how to create a space where people of all ages can enjoy recreational time outdoors. It is a model neighbourhood park which I am sure will be the source of many happy times for the surrounding community,’ said the City’s Mayoral Committee Member for Safety and Security; and Social Services, Alderman JP Smith.
The new smart park provides recreational opportunities for the whole family and includes extensive picnic areas, a custom-designed play-park and areas for people to get active, including two multi-purpose courts which are able to accommodate a variety of ball sports.
Construction started in April 2016. The facility was officially completed on 28 April 2017.
The development of these high quality parks is done in some of the more historically underinvested areas of the metro. This is to ensure parity of service delivery and equitable access to these recreational facilities across all areas of the metro.
‘Our targeted programme of park development also speaks to the new process that the City is implementing, the Organisational Development and Transformation Plan. We want to create spaces that includes everyone and add value to the social, economic and environmental context of those communities where parks are most needed,’ said Alderman Smith.
The City’s Mayoral Committee Member for Area East, Councillor Anda Ntsodo, said the intention of an expanded number of activities provided for in smart parks was to cater for the needs of all those in the community.
‘Each smart park is unique in its design to suit the available space and the respective community’s interests and requests. This is what sets smart parks apart from other play parks. The concept is aimed at encouraging inclusivity, social interaction and the integration of communities,’ said Councillor Ntsodo.
Nomzamo Smart Park was selected for an upgrade as it is highly accessible, particularly through public transport as it is situated adjacent to the recently upgraded Public Transport Interchange, economic hub and community centre, and is located in proximity to densely populated residential areas and informal settlements.
The City Parks Department received a Merit Award of Excellence from the Institute for Landscape Architecture in South Africa (ILASA) in October 2015 for its Smart Parks innovation.