Staff Writer
Numbers are massing up quickly as the Matagaialalua Friendship Park turns into a hot spot for the public to visit and spend ‘down time.’
“Last Sunday it was packed,” observed a Samoa Tourism Authority senior official responsible for the park management.
Safety for the children rank as the main draw card from the murmurs of adult relief heard around the park.
Children’s playgrounds allow for easy chaperoning by adults who sit and watch them play.
A slow stroll around the many twisting cement pathways for grownups on their own is another proven attraction so far.
The obvious risk of vandalism is yet to spoil the euphoric mood for all at the park.
The park management is serious enough about averting the problem they have hired security watch on the premises from 4.00pm in the evening to 8.00am in the morning.
KL Security officers keep close monitoring of visitors as they come in and while they are inside the park.
“We have had no problems so far, the people have been well behaved,” KL Security officer Devoe said.
Devoe and his working partner are part of a night security crew who patrol the park every night when the sun goes down.
What they try to zero in very quickly are drunks and smokers.
“No alcohols are allowed on the premises, and we keep a sharp look for people who do,” Devoe said.
“Smoking is also not permitted so we also advise visitors against that too.”
The security officer is generally happy with the responsible reaction shown by the public so far.
But there are still a few early problems starting to show up. Litter is one giving the park management an unhappy start.
“We have set up rubbish pins all over the place for people to use but they seem to simply up and go not bothering to clean up after them,” complained the Samoa Tourism Authority official.
The park has literally transformed the whole reclaimed area surrounding the Government Building into a recreational zone in the centre of town.
The adjacent Apia Boulevard built through assistance from New Zealand started drawing the people in as part of the Apia Waterfront Beautification project from Mulinu’u to Vaiala.
China’s contribution to the project through the friendship park has extended the whole area for the public and overseas visitors to take a break from the hectic pace of town.
One of the more telling popularities of the waterfront projects are the full car parks which is uncommon for after hours around the Government Building.