The Green Point Urban Park, Cape Town, South Africa
FIFA, the controlling body of international soccer insisted that a new stadium be built at Green Point for the 2010 soccer world cup. The stadium was duly built. The staging of the tournament was regarded as a resounding success more so as this was the first time that the soccer showpiece was staged in Africa. The Cape Town Stadium received very favourable praise. Then everything was over and the new stadium began collecting dust, literally. There was just one little aspect that remained outstanding.
During the construction phase, reference was made to the development of an urban park in the stadium precinct. The impression created was that this park would be completed at or before the commencement of the 2010 soccer world cup. Now there was some development and landscaping around the stadium at the time of the world cup. I for one thought that this was the sum total of the urban park that was envisaged for this area. Well, I was wrong. The development of the urban park was kept under wraps and was officially opened in February 2011.
The precinct within which the park was developed was used by too few previously. The old Green Point soccer stadium attracted a crowd to the area occasionally when a big soccer match was staged there or during the new year carnival when the Cape minstrel bands used the venue for their competitions or the rare occasion when an international show was staged there. The land was not put to good use. It goes without saying that the erection of the new soccer stadium changed things a little. More people were attracted to the site. An urban park was a necessary accompaniment to the development of the stadium and the full use of the surrounding land which was largely earmarked for sports usage. The existing golf course has been successfully relocated and completed. Other sporting venues are receiving a facelift in the area.
The new park has a meticulously clean feel to it, almost clinical and perhaps a bit soulless. There is something missing. It may well be the small number of people that are attracted to the park at present. The Sea Point beach front has been very popular with generations of Cape Tonians. The park is in essence in competition with the Sea Point regulars as far as the need to draw people to it is concerned. The Sea Point promenande has the added advantage of having the sea next to it, whereas the Green Point urban park suffers from being physically separated from the sea by the huge apartment blocks that stand tall between it and the sea. I think that the Sea Point promenade shall remain more popular with Cape Tonians. The Green Point urban park however is more likely to draw tourists. The visible presence of official personnel offers security of mind and body for the visitor.
The open water lakes and water features of the park and the adjacent golf course attracts a fair number of the usual seabirds especially the gulls. Hopefully, other species of sea birds shall be attracted to the park in the future. The indigenous gardens are still developing and may take a year or two to become established. I hope that thought was given to attracting non water birds with the selection of vegetation in the park. In this regard it may be an idea to plant some protea and erica bushes in the park to attract Cape Town's most beautiful sugarbirds and sunbirds to the park. Bird tourism and birding is big both locally and internationally.
Lest this piece create an incorrect impression, I state very unequivocally that the Green Point Urban Park is a welcome addition to the recreational facilities provided by the City for its people. The landscaping is of a high standard and so are the facilities. Allowing dogs on leashes into the park is an added bonus. Now it just needs people, many people to give it the stamp of a truly Cape Town venue.
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During the construction phase, reference was made to the development of an urban park in the stadium precinct. The impression created was that this park would be completed at or before the commencement of the 2010 soccer world cup. Now there was some development and landscaping around the stadium at the time of the world cup. I for one thought that this was the sum total of the urban park that was envisaged for this area. Well, I was wrong. The development of the urban park was kept under wraps and was officially opened in February 2011.
The precinct within which the park was developed was used by too few previously. The old Green Point soccer stadium attracted a crowd to the area occasionally when a big soccer match was staged there or during the new year carnival when the Cape minstrel bands used the venue for their competitions or the rare occasion when an international show was staged there. The land was not put to good use. It goes without saying that the erection of the new soccer stadium changed things a little. More people were attracted to the site. An urban park was a necessary accompaniment to the development of the stadium and the full use of the surrounding land which was largely earmarked for sports usage. The existing golf course has been successfully relocated and completed. Other sporting venues are receiving a facelift in the area.
The new park has a meticulously clean feel to it, almost clinical and perhaps a bit soulless. There is something missing. It may well be the small number of people that are attracted to the park at present. The Sea Point beach front has been very popular with generations of Cape Tonians. The park is in essence in competition with the Sea Point regulars as far as the need to draw people to it is concerned. The Sea Point promenande has the added advantage of having the sea next to it, whereas the Green Point urban park suffers from being physically separated from the sea by the huge apartment blocks that stand tall between it and the sea. I think that the Sea Point promenade shall remain more popular with Cape Tonians. The Green Point urban park however is more likely to draw tourists. The visible presence of official personnel offers security of mind and body for the visitor.
strict copyright exists in all material that makes up this blog. Reproduction without the copyright holder's express and written permission is forbidden
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