Fencing, a children’s road-safety track, an amphitheatre, a picnic area, a car park and a market are some of the improvements planned for Table View’s Echium Park over the next few years.
Ward councillor Jonathan Mills and civic groups planted three trees in the park on Saturday when plans for the revamp were introduced to the public.
The project is to be jointly funded by various community groups and the City.
Greater Table View Action Forum (GTAF) chairwoman Karen Davis said a revamp was much needed.
“Ideally we would like to start with the kids’ educational road-safety track. Schools from around the area could bring their pupils here, and they can learn about road safety. It will be fun for all the kids because they get to play and learn at the same time,” she said.
The trees planted on Saturday would be the first of many to come, she said, adding that musicians would be able to perform in the amphitheatre and people could sell goods at the market.
There were also plans for a skatepark, but first the park would be fenced, she said.
Mr Mills said the City would pay for the fencing.
“I have already earmarked over R800 000 for the next three years. So a big bulk of that will probably be spent on the fencing and the road-safety track. We are working on more sponsors for the rest of the things needed to keep the park and its equipment operating.
“We are confident that we have the capital to get this up and running. After that, the question will then be how we sustain this work we have done. We will rely on the community for their assistance.”
The plan was for the market at the park to resemble the Milnerton Flea Market where people paid to set up stalls, he said.
“The money for the rent of the stalls will go back into the park and help the Friends of Echium keep this place running. The park will then be able to generate its own income.”
Parklands horticulturist and landscaper Kirsti Abrahams said she had offered her expertise for the project after hearing about it from Ms Davis.
The event on Saturday had been a chance for residents to learn more about the project and see how they could help, she said.
“This area has a wealth of experience within the residents. Just today, a gentleman who is a retired civil engineer offered his services. We will need all the help and skills we can get. For example, if we want to have external lighting, we would need the assistance of electrical engineers. This is a community project, and it will benefit everyone.”
However, this is not the first time there has been talk about revamping the park. Similar plans were touted in 2017 under the previous councillor, Nicky Rheeder (“Facelift for Echium Park,” Tabletalk, November 29, 2017).
Ms Davis believes things will be different this time.
“We have had to amend the plans over the years to fit what was already there. We had to remove some ideas like the ball sports. As time has gone on, we’ve had to adjust our thought process. We have more involvement from organisations like the Life Changers Church. Back then, we were working just as GTAF, but now we have a Friends of Echium. We have included the Table View Lions, Community Medics, Life Changers Church, Table View Community Cleanup and residents in the area. So it’s all systems go right now,” she said.
