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MULLER PARK: NEW PLAY EQUIPMENT ATTRACTS LOCAL CHILDREN
Park with a purpose JAY-DEE CYSTER @jaydeecyster
T
hat an ordinary jungle gym and roundabout can bring such happiness to a bunch of Eerste River youngsters is simply amazing to behold. A once barren piece of public land called Muller Park, on the corner of Muller and Waterhout streets, got a boost when local ward 17 councillor, Sharlaine Oerson, arranged for the new play equipment to be installed – much to the delight of the local children (and maybe even the established local fruit vendor with his stall on one of the corners, because: more children, more sales). The children come out in droves during the day and even in the evening, as TygerBurger has witnessed, and many have to be called away by stern moms to get themselves off the swings and dizzying roundabout – easily 30 kids at a time, because who wants to miss out on the fun? The park is something of a wonder in Kleinvlei where gangsterism is rife and where police sirens often drown out the sound of children’s laughter. “I hear children are there from the morning to the evening,” laughs Oerson, who had the new equipment installed in February. She says the new park equipment comes after various requests from the community to utilise the space in a better and safer way, as locals used to park their cars and drink there. “The community initially asked that I install a soccer pitch, but because of the sewerage drain located on the corner we were unable to do so. Instead we decided to cordon off the park and install a roundabout and jungle gym,” she says. The upgrading of parks within Kleinvlei, Palm Park and Conifers has been at the top of Oerson’s priority list as she says providing safe spaces for the community is very important to her. “I want to make good on the promise I made when I was elected. I want to deliver,” she says. Another park that also underwent improvements within the ward is the one in the adjacent Palm Park area. Various parks within the ward will still undergo improvements set to include the addition of gym equipment. Meanwhile, Oerson hopes the new and improved Muller Park will keep local children busy throughout the holidays. And by the current looks of things, her hopes will be met with positive outcomes all around. V More photos on page 8.
Playing on the newly installed jungle gym and park equipment in Muller Park in Waterhout Street seems to be a competitive sport as the local children vie for a turn to play PHOTO: JAY-DEE CYSTER