JUST over a year ago Mount Vernon Delta’s, a local neighborhood watch (NHW) group, took over Central Park in Hillary and transformed the green space in hopes of creating a safe space for the community to play.
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Once a site of illegal dumping and overgrown bush, Victoria Park, as it was once called, was also a hotspot for criminal activity.
Now the space has been tidied up, and the guard and volunteers helped assess and create a multi-level system in the park. They are also in the process of building a retaining wall around part of the park.
Rabbi Singh, Delta’s public relations specialist, said the retaining wall is 500 blocks away from being completed.
“Prior to our involvement, this park was neglected and overgrown, and criminals used it to attack homes in Mount Vernon, Hillary. As Delta, we decided to organize the space and make something of it. A little over a year ago, we launched Guardians of Mount Vernon, a non-profit company (NPC), and the project has really taken shape. A key part of this project is the construction of a retaining wall that will create a parking lot and a small entertainment area.
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“We are currently 500 blocks away from completing the retaining wall. We are appealing to the community to help by sponsoring the block. Contact us to find out how you can deal with this. Our vision is to restore the park to its previous state with some additions, including a barbecue area and possibly an outdoor gym. We also established cooperation with the ward councilor and the eThekwini municipality, which proved fruitful,” he said.
Singh added that in the past, they also organized fundraisers, including a fun walk and breyani sale, to raise funds for the project.
“Ultimately we want to bring the community back here. We want to let them know that their families can have a picnic or barbecue in this park. We also don’t have a lot of green space in Hillary, so preserving that space is of the utmost importance. The latest part of our project is the installation of a retaining wall and finishing of the parking lot for residents. We are also grateful for the support of local residents and our partners and stakeholders. We envision this park to be a focal point that is a safe recreational space,” Singh added.
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