Rhodes Park trashed
Clr Da Rocha visited the park on Sunday, October 4, to investigate the activities happening in the park over weekends.
Kensington residents, living close to Rhodes Park, are fed up with some of the activities that take place in the park.
“For a few months now, a group of people who have been using Rhodes Park, to be specific the soccer fields, have been terrorising residents who live in close proximity to Rhodes Park,” said the ward 66 councillor, Clr Carlos Da Rocha.
“For the last few months they have been holding soccer tournaments and using PA systems that disturb the peace on Sundays. People drink liquor throughout the park and trash the park to the extent that morning park walkers have stopped using the park on Mondays because of the liquor bottles all over the soccer fields.”
Clr Da Rocha visited the park on Sunday, October 4, to investigate the activities happening in the park over weekends.
“Saturday afternoon I received word that another tournament was to take place in the park at approximately 1pm on Sunday. I made a point of going to the park at 11am and noticed people setting up gazebos on the field, sound systems, jumping castles and liquor stalls.
“I then called the parks department and requested park rangers. After waiting for more than an hour, I called the park ranger myself. I was then assured they would get hold of the metro,” said Clr Da Rocha.
He later contacted sports and recreation and was told the premises had not been hired out for a sports event. I was told the JMPD will be informed,” said Clr Da Rocha.
After several hours, when the soccer match had already gone to half-time, JMPD officers arrived.
According to Clr Da Rocha, upon the arrival of the metro police officers, the organisers of the event were asked to provide the necessary documentation permitting them to host the event.
“The organisers produced documentation that proved that City Parks gave permission and hired the park to them. The JMPD instructed that the sound system be switched off and removed.
“The JMPD also informed them that the jumping castle was not allowed. Officers observed the sale, distribution and consumption of liquor, informed them that it was not allowed but did not do anything about it.
“As the officers where briefing me, we were surrounded by an angry mob of participants who started to insult us. The JMPD decided the situation was getting dangerous – and decided to leave,” said Clr Da Rocha.
