A New Face in the Park
You may have noticed a new face has appeared in the park. At first glance, he might seem a little out of place amongst the sculptures, gardens, and heritage features.
But as this is a heritage park, we aim to honour as much of the history of our little corner of the world as we can, and that history stretches back far beyond people.
The Megalodon, one of the largest predators ever to have lived, no longer roams our oceans. Yet millions of years ago, these giant sharks swam the very waters we surf, swim, and sail in today.
What makes this connection even more fascinating is that traces of their existence can still be found on our own shores. Over the years, countless Megalodon teeth have been discovered and collected along Milnerton Beach, offering tangible reminders of a time when the coastline looked very different from the one we know today.
It makes you wonder how many species have lived, thrived, and disappeared in the place we now call home. If millions of years later we are still finding evidence of Megalodons during a morning walk on the beach, what other stories remain hidden beneath our feet and beneath the waves?
Heritage is not only about people, monuments, and historical events. It is also about the landscapes, ecosystems, and creatures that came before us and helped shape the world we inherited.
Our newest resident also carries a small clue connecting him to another story told within the park. History tells us that after Wolraad Woltemade's final rescue attempt, his faithful horse, Vonk, was never recovered. While we may never know exactly what became of him, visitors with a keen eye might notice a subtle tribute hidden within the sculpture itself.
So while our newest resident may seem a little unusual, he serves as a reminder that the story of this place began long before any of us arrived, and that every chapter of our history, whether measured in centuries or millions of years, is connected in ways both obvious and unexpected.
Next time you're strolling through the park or along Milnerton Beach, keep your eyes open. You never know what piece of history you might stumble across.
Wow, SO cool!💙💙🤩🦈