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A brand-new running track is being built at Diaz Park, Monte Vista where runners, walkers and cyclists will be able to train during the day. Work on the track started on Monday last week.
Kelvin Irvine, team leader for parks at the Monte Vista and Plattekloof Glen Ratepayers’ Association, says the track will alleviate the pressure on the walkway at the nearby Camoens Park.
Speaking to TygerBurger at the being built track on Friday, he said the entire park is earmarked for training purposes. He says a tennis court facility is also on the cards.
He says the current project forms part of phase one, and that the entire project could take up to five years, depending on the budget. A wooden fence is also being installed around Diaz Park. The reason for this is to keep out vagrants who might use the park during the night, and stopping people from driving onto the park, Irvine says.
He says currently the park is under-utilised, but that with the equipment being installed and track being built, that might change. He says some residents had their reservations when work started on the walkway at Camoens Park, but that the park now is busy, and that the walkway is used by young and old in the morning and late afternoons. There area also walking and running clubs using the walkway.
New playground equipment have also been installed at Diaz Park.
Heart of the community
Cheryl Visser, Ward councillor, says she encourages residents to make the most of the parks and recreational spaces, as they are truly the heart of the community.
“The development of the pathway at Diaz Park is indeed a Ward 1 allocation project. Unlike the cement pathway at Camoens Park, this track will be constructed with tar and edging, offering a different experience for our community.
“Throughout the planning process, I have prioritised resident input and engagement, working closely with the ratepayers’ association to ensure that our projects truly reflect the needs and desires of the community. It has been the collective vision of our residents to transform Diaz Park into a vibrant sports hub, and this running track marks an important further step towards that goal.
“In addition to the running track, Diaz Park will feature multi-use amenities, including play equipment for children, creating a space where families can come together for recreation and exercise. Placing the pathway on the park’s perimeter allows for uninterrupted circuits, ideal for runners and walkers alike.”
Visser says this project is part of a broader effort to enhance their parks and recreational facilities across Ward 1. “From the popular pathway and mini pathway at Camoens Park to the recent installation of a cement table tennis table, our ward allocation projects aim to leave a lasting legacy for future generations to enjoy. While operational projects are essential, I believe that investing in these legacy projects adds significant value to our community,” Visser says.
