Call made to clean up at Denver Park
“We need committed people who are willing to work and use their initiative at clean-up events."
Calls for unity have been made in the hopes of creating a safer and cleaner Edenvale.
This comes after efforts to clean parts of the town, specifically Denver Park located at the bottom of the Avenues.
The park has become a hotspot for recyclers to sort through material and for the homeless to find temporary accommodation
Over the years Bedfordview and Edenvale News has done articles highlighting the concerns of the community and ward councillors regarding the issue of the recyclers and homeless.
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According to Avenues resident Toni Zwicker, who lives near the park, recyclers often burn materials while those living there illegally defecate in the park as they have nowhere else to.
He said the park is left in a disgusting state.
As a community member who lives near the park, Zwicker often gives up his free time on weekends to clear vegetation and the debris left by the homeless and recyclers.
“Much of the debris is left in the river which creates a problem in the rainy season when it rains and the houses flood,” said Zwicker.
He is at times joined by volunteers and businesses who assist him with clean-ups.
Zwicker believes to reduce the impact recyclers and the homeless have on the park it needs to be closed off with a road enclosure and entry-controlled access points.
By securing the park the nearby Avenues will also hopefully be protected from crime in the area.
Zwicker said after the community and businesses came together to clean the park on Mandela Day, it was in a poor condition yet again.
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Manager of Edenvale City Improvement District Linda McKenzie said it is time the community came together.
“We are not getting the support of politicians and council, nothing is getting done to stop problems similar to this,” she said.
Zwicker said for the park to thrive and become a safe place for the community he needs the community’s assistance.
He has started a clean-up committee to focus on cleaning the park between Van Riebeeck Avenue and First Avenue.
“We need committed people who are willing to work and use their initiative at clean-up events,” said Zwicker.
To join the clean-up committee, contact 071 537 6872.
