Six new and renovated parks in Uitenhage’s KwaNobuhle were opened to the public yesterday.
Municipal public health portfolio head Lance Grootboom said the parks had previously been used as dump sites which were eyesores.
“The parks have now been converted into beautiful playgrounds for kids to play on and for adults to do gym.
“They are equipped with gym equipment that will assist and encourage the community to exercise, to fight obesity and ailments,” he said.
The project cost the municipality R4.2-million and was also aimed at keeping children off the streets and dirty dumping sites.
Ward 43 councillor Simphiwe Ntshiza said KwaNobuhle residents – both adults and children – were excited about the initiative.
“They put up a walkway connecting Kinikini Street to Dlala Street.
“The children were already playing there today and there was even an elderly gentleman who asked officials to put up a [stationary] bicycle so he can work out to help control his high blood pressure,” he said.
Ntshiza hoped the municipality would appoint a caretaker for the park, as it had previously been vandalised.