ONCE friendly and safe, Carpendale Park in North Beach has become an unbearable thorn in residents’ behind, riddled with the homeless, a lack of upkeep, and criminal elements.

According to one resident, who has lived in the area for more than 20 years, the park has seen dilapidation, posing a threat to residents and ratepayers.

She shared, “The worst days are weekends when there would be rowdy people, and cars driving right across the park. We often get that unsettling feeling, and we cannot even visit the park or pass through. We have witnessed incidents of cellphone robberies and drug activities.
“The homeless have made it their home; even though law enforcement removes them, they return soon after that. One contributing factor is the damaged fencing; the park is constantly a floodgate for all kinds of lawbreakers. Even school children often gather to smoke and drink.”
The resident added, “It’s not safe to walk through the park even during the day, let alone take family to relax. The stench of urine is all over, even though there are public toilets.”

She believes the only way to return the park to its former glory is to repair the fence, and have a single gate, just like it has been recently done with neighbouring Nathaniel Isaacs Park. “Also there should be around-the-clock security, and police visibility,” she said.
Another resident attributed the influx of the homeless in the park to the nearby Covid shelters. “The homeless wake up and come sit around here, most of them have nothing to do during the day, and they only go back to the shelter at night.”

Ward 26 councilor Sibusiso Lushaba acknowledged the challenges at Carpendale Park.
“We are aware of the challenges faced by residents, stemming from the said park. The main issue being the fencing. In April or May we renovated and handed over (to the community) the Nathaniel Isaacs Park. Our plan is that we follow the same pattern with the Carpendale Park. Renovations will take place, in alignment with the next financial year.
“Regarding the homeless who sleep over at the park, the law enforcement and Parks and Recreation teams often pounce and remove them. However we recognise that human resources are limited, therefore the personnel cannot be stationed around the clock to enforce security,” explained Lushaba.

DA PR councillor in the area Sharmaine Sewshanker added, “Carpendale Park’s current state regarding homeless people sleeping there is becoming a huge problem for North Beach. Our cities by-laws prohibit sleeping in public spaces, including parks.
“The people sleeping in the park have attracted drug and criminal activity. Even school children with uniforms are seen loitering in the park.
“Carpendale Park is supposed to be enjoyed as a recreational facility for the residents and visitors but people are too afraid of being robbed or accosted there.

After the removal of the homeless by law enforcement from the beach area and promenade, the problem has escalated.
“This city has no current designation for the homeless. There are no facilities or shelters available for the thousands of homeless people that converge on our parks, sidewalks, business entrances and pavements,” she said.
Sewshanker concluded that the Carpendale Park needed to be restored to its former glory, and that could only be achieved if all stakeholders put their differences aside and start working towards finding sustainable solutions to this problem.

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