Hooligans unwelcome at Paddadam Park
“We have heard on the bush telegraph that there are some people who would like the Paddadam Park to be permanently locked up. This is never going to happen! Paddadam is a public park for the use of respectable Abaqulusi residents of all communities."
A Paddadam Project management team has been formed, comprising of some of the residents who have put their time, effort and money into the renovation, including Brigitte Alston, Peter Colloty Senior, Doug Grewar, John Kitching.
This team will try to co-ordinate with the AbaQulusi municipality to have the Paddadam fenced and access control in place.
“We are going to discuss ways and means of achieving this as soon as we get a break from running around at Paddadam,” said Mr Grewar.
He added. “We have heard on the bush telegraph that there are some people who would like the Paddadam Park to be permanently locked up. This is never going to happen! Paddadam is a public park for the use of respectable Abaqulusi residents of all communities.
“There are complaints about overcrowding on public holidays, litter and noise. These problems are made by the ‘hooligan element’ of all communities, who get out of control. With the renovation of Paddadam, we hope that good citizens will enjoy the park.”
Suggestions on the table for the Paddadam Park include:
1. Charging a R10 entry fee per car or R50 monthly ticket for regular visitors. This will be used to cover the wages of the gate-men and the toilet cleaner.
2. A set of basic park rules must be drawn up similar to Bivane Dam rules.
3. Everyone entering must sign a pledge to obey the park rules regarding litter and noise. Visitors will supply details, including naSAPcar registration number and contact details. They will be handed a black refuse bag by the gate-keeper and asked to place their refuse in it and take it home with them.
4. Anyone breaking the park rules will be politely asked to desist. If they refuse they will be ordered to leave and, if necessary, will be escourted off the premises by the SAPS and the Buurtwag. Offenders may be banned from the park for a week, a month, or forever, depending on the severity of the offence.
5. The park will normally open at 8am and close at 6pm as per the AbaQulusi municipality notice on the gate.
6. On public holidays, to avoid overcrowding, only a certain number of vehicles will be allowed entry.
At present these are just suggestions. The management team will have to look into the legal aspects and co-ordinate with the municipal manager and the SAPS, before any rules are enforced.
