Media Release. Immediate. 26 November 2009. Mossel Bay Tourism

Mossel Bay’s Harry Giddy Park has been upgraded and is ready to welcome children – and their adults – this holiday season.

The Park was first laid out in the grand English manner as Victoria Park in 1887, and was extensively upgraded in the 1940s by Harry Giddy – after whom it was renamed.

Mr. Giddy built a small zoo which he stocked with peacocks, cranes, tortoises, and monkeys, added a bowling green, repaired the existing bandstand and gazebo – both of which had been popular attractions in the early part of the 20th century – and erected various stone walls and benches.

With time, however, the zoo fell into disrepair and was removed altogether, but its place has now been taken by an aviary and a touch-farm with miniature horses, goats, sheep, chickens, geese, ducks, rabbits, and – many children’s favourite – tortoises.

The area has been fenced (and the historic gates at the southern entrance – which were erected in 1903 to commemorate the Jubilee of the reign of Queen Victoria of Britain – have been retained), and the Park boasts ornamental fountains, lakes, and a river, as well as a children’s playground and tennis and bowling clubs.

“Mossel Bay loves kids – and kids love Mossel Bay because the town has always gone out of its way to accommodate them,” said Mossel Bay Tourism’s Marcia Holm, who recently visited the Park with her husband, Chris, and their grandchildren.

“It’s a safe, informal, leafy and pleasant environment for family outings, and it’s wonderful to see moms resting on the benches with their books while their kids run and play freely in the open air, and to see whole families picnicking on the grass by the side of the river.

“Our on-line diary at www.visitmosselbay.co.za has all the details of shows, competitions and get-togethers, and Mossel Bay probably has the biggest programme of summer-time entertainment of any coastal town in South Africa, but still families need a place where they can re-connect in an unstructured and unhurried way – and the Harry Giddy Park is just that kind of place,” said Ms. Holm.

“It’s a perfect place to remember just why it is that we gave Mossel Bay its slogan: ‘No hurry, No worries’,” she said.

The Harry Giddy Park is situated in Marsh Street (enter via Marsh or Montagu Street), and is open during the daylight hours.

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Tags: children's activities, harry giddy park, mossel bay, touch farm