Pensioner transforms Garlandale park

A Garlandale pensioner has proven “where there is a will, there is a way”, when he transformed a run-down, thorn-ridden park, into a beautiful sight within just 18 months.

With the assistance of the municipality, the humble Noegh Crombie, 66, said he started off by restoring what was already there and to revive the security, and to fix the vandalised toilet and the turf at the Zonnebloem Street park in Garlandale.

“My first priority was to revive the grass. Once water was restored to the park, the sprinkler system was fixed. It was thorn-ridden and littered with broken glass. People used to come to the park to drink alcohol or to do drugs, but I have spoken to those people myself when I started the restoration work. The toilet pots in the toilet were ripped out and the toilet was very badly vandalised, but this too, we fixed. Now it is a safe space where the community gathers. This is a community-building project which has come to humble me,” Mr Crombie said.

He is of the belief that humanity is intrinsically linked to the environment. He also does not consider all the time he spends in the park as a big sacrifice, as he believes that he is only doing what Allah expects of him. When he mows the lawn, he walks the equivalent of about 10km.

“One of the sayings of our prophet is that we have a moral obligation to care for the environment. My vision for the park is for it to become a catalyst and safe space for community building, transformation, growth and healing. There is no separation between us and the environment. If we break down our walls we will find we are one with nature. We just need to allow nature to transform us and bring us healing,” he said.

Now that the first phase of Mr Crombie’s plan is done – to clean and green the park – he is hoping to embark on the second phase of his plan and that is to get the community involved.

“I would like the park to have dedicated picnic spots and a children’s play area. The 24 trees that were planted here, were cuttings I picked up and grew in pots at home, before it was planted here by the community for Arbor Day in 2021. We need to recycle. We don't have to buy new things. We also have all the skills and the resources in the community. We can make our own benches, for example. Nothing is impossible,” Mr Crombie added.

His neighbour, Ronald Soomar, only has high praise for Mr Crombie.

“Mr Crombie and his volunteers have done tremendous work at our public park. He works tirelessly for very long hours and today we can feel proud that this is among the best looking parks – even some overseas visitors said that.

“Through their efforts and with support from the municipality, the park has been renovated, weeds trimmed, new trees planted, grass cut and trimmed regularly and looks pleasant to the eyes.

“I therefore would like the community to honour Mr Crombie and say a big thank you to him and his team for the sterling work that they are doing – completely of their own personal choice and contribution,” Mr Soomar said.