MITCHELL Park is looking a little worse for the wear, according to a local Musgrave resident who asked not to be named. The woman said she had taken an out-of-town visitor to Mitchell Park after looking it up on the Internet which showed beautiful pictures of the park and garden beds. However, when they visited the park they were shocked to discover that it was nothing like it was advertised online.
“What a shock I got, it was nothing like the pictures on the Internet, and the state of the flower beds, walk ways and the restaurant was terrible. I am well aware of the water shortage but cleanliness does not need water. This applies to Jamieson Park and the offices in Montpelier Road. Workers walk around but nothing is done. What must our visitors think of us as a place to visit?” she asked.
She also complained that pavements were overgrown with weeds, refuse and broken bottles.
The holiday season is on our doorstep, who will return here to see our beautiful city in this condition?
In response to the criticism, Parks Department’s Jabulani Mdiniso said no staff were on duty after hours. “The monkeys create havoc in both the parks by digging in the dirt bins and throwing litter all over. There is also no contractor in place to spray the weeds on the pavement. We are ready for the festive season and our staff may be allowed to work extra hours,” he said.
eThekwini Head of Communications, Tozi Mthethwa said there were several areas in Mitchell Park that were currently undergoing renovations by contractors.
“The bandstand’s wooden supports are being repaired, the koi pond’s lining is being stripped and leaks are being attended to and a flowerbed surround is being built around the tree in the restaurant area. The maintenance of Mitchell Park is ongoing and up to date. The park is visited by many patrons on a daily basis and all effort to keep the park in a pristine condition are being undertaken,” she said.
