People's Park in KwaZulu Natal (original) (raw)

About People's Park

Just south of the Moses Mabhida Stadium, in Stamford Hill, Durban, is People's Park. As its name suggests it is a park designed for people, particularly children.

Did you know? Don't go expecting the usual rectangle, grassy verges, swings, the requisite slide, a couple of merry-go-rounds and the odd beautiful oak tree. This is a park with a difference.

The People's Park includes a track and field area, a modern kids playground and a caf� that overlooks all of this � perfect for parents to watch their kids from the shade of the veranda whilst sipping on skinny lat�s and flat white cappuccinos.

The track is a sloping, smooth marble-like strip directly in front of the caf� that runs the length of the park, a kilometre long. Kids love it. The polished concrete makes riding a bicycle, skateboarding, and rollerskating, totally effortless.

Down one side of the track is a grassy strip dotted with shaded pergolas perfect for picnics and moms and tots, whilst on the opposite side is a playground of note: swings, jungle gyms, climbing frames, merry-go-rounds, sand pits, sprung seat rides in a different league from municipal parks, all set on beach sand to break a fall.

There are fountains in which children can cool off, a bike, scooter and skateboard hire (by the hour; take cash), benches for tired grandparents and parents along the length of the track, reasonably priced take away Illy coffee, and daily newspapers from the caf�.

People's Park contains children in a way that makes parents feel safe, and liberates children to play as they were meant to, in groups in large spaces.

The park doubles often as a music venue, playing host to a number of music acts organised by the Moses Mabhida Stadium. The I Heart weekly market meets on the north side of the Moses Mabhida Stadium.

To take with you: sunscreen, hats, cash, a picnic
Where: Just off Masabalala Yngwa Avenue, south of the Moses Mabhida Stadium