We Put Another Brick In The Wall
- athol36
- Jun 21
- 2 min read
A little park in the middle of Glenwood is guarded by a centuries old wall. What is its story? The Pigeon Valley UIP is uncovering its history
Glenwood has nine parks but only one is guarded by a honeyed wall that beckons you into its cool tree-ringed enclosure. The Pigeon Valley UIP stumbled upon the stone wall and its pillars two years ago, shortly after it was constituted and while preparing its strategy for a cleaner, greener, safer Glenwood.
The wall, set back from the corner of Lena Ahrens and Alan Paton, opposite the old fire station which is now a beauty and aesthetics centre, was spotted during a visit to the SAVF and Windsor Tennis Club to meet about maintenance and safety, said Cindy May Wang, chairperson of the PVUIP.
“The stone pillars and walls were just there, unobtrusive and forgotten. Behind the wall was rubbish and people were using the space as a toilet”
The PVUIP Green Team cleaned the area and security patrols now pass by regularly. Currently they have just completed restoring the pillars to their original glory.
“We partnered with a local resident and service provider to restore the heritage of this gateway. Together we planned and rolled out the restoration and found suitable replacement bricks for the missing stones.”
The park is James Henderson Park but the PVUIP has started calling it the Glenwood Gateway Garden. It sits at the main intersection of Lena Ahrens and Alan Paton.
The garden has been brought to life with municipal plants and was overseen by gardening guru Tanya Visser, who worked with volunteers and a Council team.
“It was a true project of active citizenry as we had no budget. The PVUIP had just been voted in but had no employees and no funds and was waiting to come into being officially. Now two years on, the garden is looking amazing.”
Cindy May is now on a quest to establish the history of the wall, which exists on municipal land currently leased by the Windsor Tennis Club. “It’s part of the heritage of Glenwood much like the old police station which has been restored by the skin clinic”.
The PVUIP has focused much attention on Glenwood’s nine parks, repairing signage, play areas, steps, asphalt and entrances. “We hope one day to be able to mobilise municipal or private funds to restore the tram station, and maybe even move our office there, “ said Cindy May.
Excellent work, Cindy May! Are there any plans for Meyrick Bennet Park? It’s looking rather forlorn and needs a security fence to prevent it from becoming a camping ground.