Many people yearn for the days when they could take a stroll through St George’s Park without fearing for their life or the lives of their loved ones.

As part of this a clean-up initiative, and to kick-off its drive, the St George’s Park Forum, in association with Atlas Security, Xtreme Projects, Gardmed, Precision Towing and the SAPS, has organised a peace walk by candlelight around the park on Wednesday 23 November 2016.

The walk will commence at 7pm sharp from the Nelson Mandela Metropole Art Museum at the Cenotaph and walkers will walk in a clockwise direction. Glow sticks will be made available to walkers prior to the 7pm start time and walkers are asked to dress in white as it is the universal colour of peace. An emergency services and security convoy will drive around the park simultaneously in an anti-clockwise direction.

St George’s Park is an iconic green space in the city of Port Elizabeth, being home to the Warriors Cricket team, a historical cricket ground, the open air theatre, recently restored conservatory, large children’s playgrounds and St George’s swimming baths (now closed). This beautiful park used to be a hive of activity, particularly in summer – with many families picnicking, visiting the Art Museum, just taking a stroll, enjoying the monthly ‘Art in the Park, or appreciating a Shakespearian production at the Manville theatre.

However, over the past 2 decades, this once vibrant park has become crime-ridden and many fear for their lives when walking through or around the park.

The St George’s Park Forum, which consists of local residents and businesses, is aiming to change this and bring back the comfort of yesteryear to the park. They are aiming to clean up the area and slowly nudge out the criminal element.

For many families, the peace walk will be the first time that they are able to walk around St George’s Park in relative safety – something which the Forum hopes to realise as a permanent state of being at this centre piece of the city.

The St George’s Park Forum, which is led by Karen Kelly of Xtreme Academy, would like to see a safer Port Elizabeth become a reality for all, but especially for younger generations – so that they too may enjoy the beauty which our city holds and which is currently largely unknown to an entire generation.

For more information please contact the St George’s Park Forum via Facebook – www.facebook.com/stgeorgesparkforum

The St George’s Park Forum is an informal community organisation which is focused on improving the quality of life for residents, visitors and businesses in and around the St George’s Park area. They stand for peace and unity and aim to see a safer and integrated community in the geographical area surrounding St George’s Park. They have a partnership with the Community/ Resident’s association in the greater part of the Central area in Port Elizabeth which is in the process of establishing a Central special ratings area.

The Forum, however, operates parallel to the Central SRA application and will continue to work on improving the area with activities such as reporting of community services in need of repair or attention, and maintaining a good working relationship with the council and the SAPS.