Gqeberha residents revive beloved park

Volunteers in Gqeberha, South Africa, spent Saturday cleaning and restoring Happy Valley, a beachfront park many remember fondly from their childhoods.

The Port Elizabeth Hotel Group organised the event as part of Tourism Month and World Coastal Cleanup Day, attracting families and residents eager to reclaim the space. Happy Valley once featured fairytale-themed installations and illuminated walkways, but has fallen into disrepair. Participants removed debris and foliage, extending their efforts beyond the park’s entrance and into the old chessboard area.

Residents like Chanté Botha and Vanessa Marx shared memories of visiting the park as children and expressed a desire for their own children to have similar experiences. Beyond the cleanup, residents voiced concerns about the municipality’s responsibility for maintaining public spaces. Alex Govender noted that residents were completing work that should have been done with ratepayer funds. Other residents, like Fayrous Isaac and Thembi Ezegwu, highlighted the park’s deteriorated condition, citing issues with stagnant water and accumulated dirt.

Organisers plan to continue the cleanup efforts and seek further assistance from the public.