Park taps run dry after dark
eThekwini municipal officials will turn taps in Bulwer Park off after hours in an attempt to discourage vagrants from abusing the facilities.
THE newly revamped Bulwer Park in Glenwood is not only attracting local residents, but has also become home to a number of vagrants who are using the facilities at the park to wash and do laundry, causing an outcry from regular users of the park.
One Glenwood resident said the park was being ruined by vagrants who had moved into the park. She said she walked through the park every day and was saddened to see its rapid decline.
“The water stations are being used for bathing and laundry. Men strip down to their undies to wash, and a beautiful tree is used as a fire place. Please can the powers that be curb the situation before it gets out of control,” she said.
Another resident, Norah Lane, said Bulwer Park was full of vagrants day and night.
“They do bathe and do their laundry in the park and hide their possessions in the trees. They also use the place as a toilet,” she said.
In response, Jabulani Mdiniso from the Parks Department said a law enforcement officer is employed to monitor the park during the day, but that the taps would be closed after hours. “Due to this closure the public who exercise or train in the park, will be affected because we cannot provide 24 hour security,” he said.
