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STREET SMART Last issue we featured the Symphony Way Park in Blikkesdorp, one of three parks from Cape Town’s Smart Parks project. Here we showcase the other two, Mandela Park in Khayelitsha and Gugulethu Park, both of which are helping to improve the lives of children in one of the city’s most deprived communities
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he city of Cape Town’s Parks Department ‘Smart Parks’ concept is a World Design Capital 2014 project that uses design-led thinking to transform the way public spaces are developed. So far three projects have been piloted in Blikkiesdorp, Khayelitsha and Gugulethu, all of which aim to provide local communities with innovative recreational spaces that cater for all ages and that residents can call their
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own. Three more smart parks are in the pipeline for development later this year in Atlantis, Nomzamo and Seawinds. The brief The principles driving the Smart Park programme include: 1. F ocus on developing and upgrading parks in the most undeserved communities to facilitate equitable access to parks on a city-wide scale. 2. Develop selected high quality, unique and user-friendly parks that respond to and provide for the recreational needs of the communities they serve. 3. C ontribute to integrated public investment in parks and other infrastructure and promote partnerships which seek to maximise the use of limited resources.
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GUGULETHU PARK
Gugulethu Park was selected for upgrade because it was located in one of the most undeserved areas of Cape Town and was highly accessible to a range of potential visitors. Situated within a dense residential area and within walking distance of Heideveld Station, it serviced children from the neighbouring schools, adolescents who came to kick a ball around and many local residents who walked through the park throughout the day. Three areas were highlighted for redevelopment: Play area equipment A new children’s play park offers opportunities for children to play and develop physically and cognitively in a safe environment. A custom designed play feature was constructed using standard components, gum poles, tyres, slides and ropes, put together in an imaginative way to take into account community needs and client feedback to suit a broad range of ages. Provision was made for an undulating surface to increase opportunities for play. An outdoor gym area provides opportunities for adolescents, young adults, adults and the elderly to be active and enhance their physical well-being.
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