The park forms part of the "uMngeni River Estuary Precinct", which has been adopted by the Municipality's Greening Durban 2010 Programme to "GO GREEN". This programme, in conjunction with the Municipality's City Beautification Programme, is investing in improving public amenities in the area, both for visitors and residents alike.
A brand new R4 million Eco-tourism Information and "Green Technologies Demonstration" Centre is being built in Blue Lagoon Park. This "Green Hub" has been designed to showcase innovative yet simple green building approaches, such as natural lighting and ventilation, harvesting of rainwater from the roof for flushing toilets, and solar powered lighting. Durban visitors and residents will be able to enjoy canoe trails and nature walks from the Green Hub, as well as book nature-based activities and accommodation around Durban and KwaZulu-Natal. The Green Hub also includes a new public toilet facility, to replace the existing outdated and poorly designed toilets in the park.
According to Greening Durban 2010 Programme Manager, Ms Nicci Diederichs, "Durban has an incredible biodiversity, and we want people out there to enjoy it. This will help build people's sense of need to protect nature. The Green Hub is going to be Durban's first public facility dedicated to promoting eco-tourism and more environmentally sustainable living".
Deputy Mayor, Cllr Logie Naidoo says, "Blue Lagoon has always been a community venue that had attracted families who came to enjoy a days outing together. The development of an interactive Eco Centre will promote education about the environment and provide a wonderful setting for people to enjoy the precinct. The development is in keeping with the vision of the Municipality to create a sporting precinct in the surrounding area."
The edges of the old model yacht pond in the vicinity will be softened and planted up with water-loving reeds and grasses, and visitors will be treated to the extra bird life and beauty that this area will now offer. "The new wetland plants will also help to improve the quality of the water in the pond, which has become a problem over the past few years because there is no longer a water circulation system connecting the pond to the estuary", said Diederichs.
The Municipality has also contracted a local co-operative to undertake extensive clearing and control of alien invasive plants along the banks of the uMngeni Estuary. This will help in the ongoing battle to protect this important Natural Heritage Site. The estuary is one of the largest in KwaZulu-Natal, playing a critical role in sustaining offshore fisheries. It is also renowned for its incredible bird life, which includes the rare Great White and Pinkbacked Pelicans and other migratory species.
With all this happening, Blue Lagoon Park will soon be more Green than Blue.
Well, this is interesting. It was only a few months ago I wrote to the Durban North Councellor and received a reply from the councellor dealing with the lagoon area. Nothing was mentioned regarding this Eco Centre and I havent seen anything in the papers. It sounds great.
