Community park gets help from CAWSE

GRAAFF-REINET NEWS - CAWSE (Camdeboo Animal Welfare, Shelter and Education) announced that they will repair, renovate and maintain the play park on Park Street.

According to Nicola Woods, founder of CAWSE, their members have met with the local municipality to discuss handing over the running of the park in exchange for the use of this area for CAWSE events such as car boot sales, markets, bake-sales, dog classes, dog competitions, and dog adoption days.

"While our primary focus is our weekly outreaches in the townships where we dip, apply flea powder, de-worm, feed, provide blankets and medical care to pets in need, we also want to contribute to the community within the Horseshoe," Woods explains.

She says that by improving the park and making it a place where people feel safe to meet friends, relax and have fun, they will revive one of the town's assets and improve the value of surrounding properties, organisations and businesses.

"CAWSE has spoken to several residents and business owners in the area, who are thrilled with this initiative and are willing to assist. I also met with a representative of the Heritage Society and an architect regarding the 'leiwater' furrows, as they are of historical value to the town.

Woods says that members of CAWSE and the community met at the park last Saturday to discuss what needs to be done.

The swing needs some attention as well.

The park

According to the plaque in the park, it was named The Mary Laing Children's Park. The equipment was presented to the municipality by councillor A Laing in 1939. Woods contacted Anziske Keyster at the Graaff-Reinet Museum to find more information.

As Alex Laing was never married, she assumes the park was named after his mother or a sister. Woods would appreciate it if anyone has any information, old photographs, or stories about the park to contact her with information.

While CAWSE will maintain the park, it will remain a municipal park and open to everyone.

How can the community help?

Work begins this week with trimming the palms and trees.

"Sadly, a lot of the original equipment has disappeared or been damaged beyond repair, but we will renovate as much as possible. We would love it if anyone has any playground equipment, old tractors, or benches that they would like to donate to the park. I strongly believe that this park is for everyone and it will take a community, not just a handful of people, to get involved and make this project a success."

They are appealing to the community and local businesses for help. There are three ways in which people can assist. Financially, physically and with supplies.

The donation of supplies such as paint, varnish, wood, cement, gravel, sand, bricks, grass, topsoil, plants, artificial lawn, gates, fencing, benches and tyres would be greatly appreciated.

To find out more about how you can assist or what is needed, please follow CAWSE on Facebook, email them at cawse.grt@gmail.com or contact Nicola Woods on 083 415 6514.

An enquiry has been sent to Dr Beyers Naudé Municipality.