Continuing the theme of public spaces for public life…
My bike ride this morning confirmed for me once again that the Sea Point Promenade is one of Cape Town’s most well-loved and special public open spaces. It’s extended version provides a 6km pedestrian route from Saunders Rocks near the smart apartments of Bantry Bay to the scruffy little beaches in Mouille Point. It is well-used by a racially- and economically-diverse range of Capetonians – for, amongst other things, walking, roller blading, football, touch rugby, swimming, fitness classes, cycling (on the adjacent pavements, not on the Promenade itself), kite-flying, religious ceremonies and people watching. With its numerous grassy spaces and playparks, not to mention the Blue Train, it is very children-friendly.
In recent years, citizens have organised a great campaign called Seafront for All to ensure that the Promenade remains accessible to the public. This is an essential aspect of public spaces for public life – the space not only needs to be well-used but also ’owned’ by citizens. Sometimes new public spaces are created that are well-designed but remain unused because of lack of citizen involvement; the Sea Point Promenade, on the other hand, slightly jaded in places, battered by waves during winter storms, remains a much loved place where Capetonians from all walks of life can engage.
Two fishermen try their luck off Saunders Rocks near Bantry Bay
Sunday morning football games are taken very seriously
So too is five-a-side touch rugby
The Sea Point Promenade near Three Anchor Bay
The stretch of grass near the Mouille Point lighthouse provides breathtaking views of the West Coast across Table Bay
My favourite part of the pedestrian route - the little beaches in Mouille Point - still give one an idea how the coastline looked 100 years ago
A 'pirate' cruise boat in front of Robben Island
See Seafront for All Facebook site
