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City Seeks to Improve Playground Facilities
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03/10/2019
MILE in partnership with EThekwini Municipality's Parks Leisure & Cemeteries Department are hosting a Parks Playground Facilities Workshop for eThekwini Municipal practitioners working in the sector. Currently underway at the Durban Botanic Gardens from the 3rd to the 4th of October 2019, the Workshop aims to examine the current state of playground facilities across eThekwini’s public parks, secure an understanding of the key challenges and work towards innovative locali​zed and viable solutions.

MILE Program Manager, Mr Collin Pillay facilitated Day 1 of the Parks Playground Facilities Workshop. In his address, Pillay mentioned that the workshop serves as a platform to respond to key challenges and issues around playground facilities. 

"It will also provide a better understanding of how the eThekwini playground facilities can be improved and to look at various models/trends locally and internationally, said Pillay. 

Mr Sibusiso Mkhwanazi, Deputy Head, Parks, Leisure & Cemeteries Department, officially welcomed participants to the Parks Playground Facilities Workshop, highlighting these pertinent questions: What can we do to turn around the situation? Are we doing enough to out there to see what is happening? "We have a lot to do and this is just the beginning."

Mr Martin Clement, Manager at Durban Botanic Gardens provides the message of support mentioning that a priority emanating from the learning event is a set of guidelines and SOPs for the betterment of Parks.

After the opening session participants were kept engaged by various presentations on how playground facilities within eThekwini can be improved.

Ms Sandra Khathi, Senior Manager: Sports & Recreation PRC Unit, EThekwini Municipality discussed running active and accessible recreation programmes at play parks across eThekwini at the Parks Playground Facilities Workshop.

Ms Maliga Naidoo, Director, Academy of Leisure Sciences Africa talked about the importance of parks as safe play spaces at the Parks Playground Workshop.​

Danielle Le Brasse from the Inanda Children’s Wilderness Garden, Durban Green Corridor presented on accessibility of public play spaces for all: the therapeutic nature of play at the Playground Facilities Workshop.​

After the morning presentations officials participated in a facilitated group work exercise to determine the key challenges and solutions encountered. 

In the afternoon, Dr Jonathan Foley, Lecturer at the Durban University of Technology Horticulture Department discussed principles & the design of parks for play: recreation management and playground design in tertiary level curricula. 

Mr Martin Prange an Urban Design Technician at the EThekwini Municipality Urban Design Department talks about design specifications, standards & procurement of playground equipment at the Workshop.

In concluding Day 1 of the Workshop, Mr Suresh Singh, Manager: Parks, Leisure & Cemeteries Department at EThekwini Municipality shared the Key Action Plan for the Playground Facilities within the City

With facilitated​ discussion sessions and informative presentations, officials left the learning event feeling inspired to make a positive difference and determined to improve the playground facilities within the City. 

​View Event Photo Album

Download Presentations below:

 

 Presentations:Playground Facilities Workshop 2019

 
TypeUse SHIFT+ENTER to open the menu (new window).
  
NameUse SHIFT+ENTER to open the menu (new window).
  
Day 1.1.Sandra Khathi .pdf
  
Day 1.2-Maliga Naidoo.pdf
  
Day 1.3-Danielle Le Brass.pdf
  
Day 1.4-Dr Jonathan Foley.pdf
  
Day 1.5-Martin Prange.pdf
  
Day 1.6-Suresh Singh.pdf
  
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