Van Niekerk Street park under scrutiny

A place for joy, laughter and fun-filled days is what a park should be, but the state of the park in Van Niekerk Avenue in Pioneer Park is just the opposite.

“I will not allow my children to go to the park alone, as people are using the grounds to get drunk and smoke dagga. Maybe if they were it to fence it off like the park in town, I would feel better,” said Denise Steyn, a concerned mother and resident.

Helena Du Plooy said she regarded the park as a health risk, with broken glass everywhere and people using the park ‘as if it were a public toilet’.

She thought children should not be exposed to that kind of conditions and behaviour.

Most of the equipment is broken, unstable and rusted and not safe to be used by children: the slide is completely rusted and full of holes, and the swings were unstable and damaged.

Head of Parks, Recreation and Cleansing, Vish Govender has requested staff to remove damaged equipment, and is calling upon the community of Pioneer Park to assist his department with the upkeep.

“The community should take part ownership and come to an agreement with the municipality to ensure any problems are reported and dealt with immediately.”

Ward councillor, Bertie Meiring wants the community to do its part in safeguarding the park against vandalism and inappropriate behaviour.

” I will probably send out flyers to each resident with steps they can follow to do their part in ensuring the safety and upkeep of the park”.

Mr Meiring may be contacted on 084 406 4953 regarding complaints or concerns about the park.