I live near a park that was neglected for many years, became quite unsafe and ugly without any interest. I work with an amazing Park Committee who in three years have radically changed this space. It is now safe - and once again a major thoroughfare for students and many others. It is now much cleaner and for the first spring in three years we don't face the park with dread for the weeds that will overwhelm it with the first rains.
And it is now used by the community. A year ago we started a monthly Community Park day where members from the community can help clean up, and after that we served coffee and the most delicious cake made for us by the kitchen at Zietsies and offered some activity for the kids. One month it was educational, or an art lesson, or a craft day, or just a games day.
Yesterday we reached a new high with the installation of an owl house, owl kites to make for crafts and a visit by the police mounted unit that let the kids each have a ride in the park. Families came and shared under the trees, helped out, young moms with kids played in the club house with Early Childhood Development toys. Williard my little neighbour who just turned 1 on the day of the closing match of the Soccer World Cup was there with his mom - and the soccer shwe shwe shirt I made him for his birthday.
These park days have really become a space where some sense of community and shared happiness is being created and they make me very happy.
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