No upgrades for town’s playparks
Dr Thabethe said this meant the budget in essence, was designated for maintenance only.
Newcastle Municipality has budgeted solely for maintenance of playparks this year.
During the 2019 State of the Town Address (SOTA) in April, Mayor Ntuthuko Mahlaba made mention of more than R71-million being set aside under the general heading ‘parks, sport and recreation’.
The municipality is yet to confirm what portion will be allocated to parks specifically.
In a formal response however, Head of Communications, Dr Dumisani Thabethe said establishment of new parks had not been identified as a ‘ward based priority’, and thus the municipality had not planned to open any new facilities.
Dr Thabethe said this meant the budget in essence, was designated for maintenance only.
The maintenance of playparks, at least in Newcastle West, will be undertaken according to a schedule, although Dr Thabethe says changing weather patterns have made it difficult to adhere to this plan.
In general, Newcastle’s playparks have been a source of irritation for residents over the past few weeks.
Complaints encompass the lack of security personnel at facilities such as the Crawford Street Park, and the deplorable, littering at facilities such as the Eaton Road Park.
The Draper Street Park is included in the latter.
Resident, Nirasha Pooranram described the park as unsafe, and says she has stopped allowing her children to make use of it.
“You get people drinking and parking their cars there. They sit on the equipment and sleep, urinate and worse.”
Pooranram believes the poor state of Draper Street Park’s equipment was due to abuse by adults, who often made residents feel uncomfortable to even walk by.
“The municipality needs to look at the situation and stop public drinking there. Fencing off the park may also help.”
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