Delegates from the City of Neumarkt visited the Paarl Arboretum this week to review the upgrades which were completed in 2022 with funding secured from the German Federal Ministry of Economic Cooperation and Development.
The funding for this project was sourced through the Climate and Sustainability partnership between Drakenstein Municipality and Neumarkt, which offers partners the opportunity to obtain funding for climate-related projects through the implementing agency, Engagement Global. A visit to the Arboretum was included in the programme of the delegation so that the delegates can view the upgrades first hand and confirm the completion of the project.
As part of the Paarl Arboretum Climate Smart Park project, various upgrades to the Arboretum were implemented. These include the construction of two new entrance features, entrance signage and security gates at the northern entrance and the footbridge entrance, the construction of mobility routes including a laterite river walkway and exploration paths, new tree signage, new climate awareness signage, outdoor classrooms, new playpark equipment, the planting of trees and a spekboom mandala, the development of a website and the construction of a classroom from sustainable and recycled materials which is being used as an environmental education centre.
According to Drakenstein Municipality these upgrades are aimed at increasing the number of daily users into the Arboretum from all parts of Drakenstein as well as tourists, at promoting walking and cycling along the mobility routes in the park, and at increasing the education potential of the Arboretum for climate and sustainability awareness.
More information can be viewed on the website at https://paarlarboretum.com/
