Trim Park — once the beating heart of Newcastle’s community life — has become a symbol of urban decay. Once echoing with laughter, family picnics, and children at play, the park has fallen into a state of disgrace. Its once-green spaces are now littered and polluted; vagrants have taken up residence, opportunistic criminals prowl its pathways, and public drinking has become routine.
Even taxis now use parts of the municipal land as a makeshift rank. Years of neglect have turned what was once a proud community asset into an eyesore — but there appears to be a change in Trim Park’s future.
Councillor Bertie Meiring, Chairperson of the Portfolio Committee for Development Planning and Human Settlements, confirmed that the Newcastle Municipality is moving forward with plans to overhaul Trim Park completely.
The local government is now pursuing grants to fund a full-scale redevelopment, aiming to convert the troubled site into a secure, community-driven facility.
The project, he explained, will address deep-seated issues of pollution, vagrancy, and lawlessness that have defined the area for far too long.
It is worth recalling that in June 2024, Newcastillian News reported that the Municipality’s Integrated Development Plan had secured R12 million in funding from the Department of Environmental Affairs. This funding was intended to enhance tourism in Newcastle, focusing particularly on the revitalisation of Trim Park and the ecological rehabilitation of the Ncandu River. (To read more, click here.)
Now, more than a year later, the Municipality is taking tangible steps towards reclaiming the space. Cllr Meiring revealed that Trim Park will be redeveloped into a hydropark equipped with braai areas, secure fencing, and a proper parking lot — transforming the once-derelict grounds into a safe, family-oriented environment.
A hydropark is a recreational public space designed around a water feature or river system, integrating ecological restoration with community leisure activities.
Such parks typically combine landscaped walkways, picnic areas, and family-friendly amenities with environmental measures like water purification, riverbank stabilisation, and biodiversity protection. In Trim Park’s case, the hydropark will centre around the Ncandu River, linking environmental rehabilitation with tourism and social recreation.
“While this project could take some time to materialise, the Municipality is now taking steps to secure the necessary funding to see the project happen. This will positively impact Newcastle, as it will see Trim Park being restored, the river cleaned up, and the vagrants removed. We have already stopped trucks from entering the park, and once funding is secured, we will be able to take more steps,” explained Cllr Meiring.
Furthermore, he acknowledged, however, that a significant amount of work remains before Newcastle can see meaningful change. “We need to clean the river up properly, as to ensure there is no pollution, illegal dumping, no overgrown reeds. The Newcastle Municipality is really pushing for this to happen, as it forms an instrumental part of our 2035 vision in becoming a city,” he emphasised.
While no definitive timeline has yet been released, Cllr Meiring assured residents that once the final plans and feedback are received from government departments and municipal officials, the cost and scale of the hydropark will be announced publicly.
For now, Trim Park stands as a reminder of both neglect and potential. Whether the planned hydropark will restore the area to its former glory — or redefine it entirely — will depend on how effectively the Municipality can turn its promises into visible progress for Newcastle residents.
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Frequently Asked Questions: Trim Park Hydropark Project
The Trim Park Hydropark Project is an initiative by Newcastle Municipality to redevelop the neglected Trim Park into a modern, secure, and eco-friendly public facility. The project will transform the area into a hydropark — a recreational space built around the Ncandu River, combining environmental restoration with family-oriented amenities.
According to Councillor Bertie Meiring, the hydropark will feature braai facilities, secure fencing, and a dedicated parking area. It will also focus on river rehabilitation, landscaping, and the installation of safety measures to create a cleaner, more inviting community space.
Trim Park has suffered years of neglect, becoming overrun by vagrancy, pollution, and unauthorised activity. The Municipality identified it as a priority site due to its central location, historical significance to the community, and its potential to boost tourism and environmental conservation efforts.
While there is currently no confirmed start date, the Municipality has stated that work will commence once funding is fully secured and final approvals are received from relevant government departments. Detailed timelines and project costs will be made public once this process is complete.
The redevelopment is expected to restore a key public space, improve safety, enhance local tourism, and contribute to Newcastle’s 2035 city vision. It will also support environmental efforts by cleaning the Ncandu River and reducing illegal dumping and pollution in the area.
2 Responses
The idea is great. I always thought a Waterfront with restaurants and a deck with a view of the river would add to the tourist attraction. To add a zoned Children’s play area too.
That is wonderful news Trim park has so much potential and with the ncando river cleaned up and maybe a restaurant or two would be the place to go and take your family i agree with a nice safe area for the children too