ARCADIA recreational park, which had become an eyesore to residents and passers-by, is undergoing a major spruce up, after the local community teamed up with their legislator to clean it.
BY TAWANDA MARWIZI
The park, which was closed in 1985, has for a long time been used as an illegal dumping site by some residents and companies located in the Graniteside industrial area.
Dennis De souzer, a resident of Arcadia, told Standardcommunity that the park had become a murder spot and a hide-out for thieves.
“There are a number of people who died at the place and we are very happy as a community that the authorities have done something for our safety,” said De souzer.
Harare Central MP Murisi Zwizwai said the rundown park was being restored to its original state as part of efforts to provide recreational facilities in Arcadia.
He said this would significantly reduce crime rate and other social ills in the suburb and other surrounding areas.
“When I approached the community about the issue, everyone agreed that we had to refurbish the park,” he said.
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“I then decided to use part of the Constituency Development Fund (CDF) to start the project.
“We are doing this together with the local community and the City of Harare,” said Zwizwai.
A committee has been set up to ensure that the project is completed as soon as possible.
“Last time when we fenced the place, some people destroyed it, ploughing the park to plant maize, but this time there are no such indications,” he said.
When Standardcommunity visited Arcadia last week, workers from the city council were busy cutting lawn grass to restore its aesthetic appearance.
Local Government, Urban and Rural Development deputy minister Sesel Zvidzai urged everyone to take part in beautifying the environment ahead of the United National World Tourism General Assembly next year.
