Local woman cleans up park to bring back play
Alarmed by the lack of action by the authorities, the 60-year-old Amiel Park resident took matters into her own hands, transforming her local park into a safe haven for children as it once was.
For years, Yvonne van Rooyen has watched in dismay as the play parks in her beloved neighbourhood crumbled into disrepair.
Rusting swings, broken slides, and litter-strewn grounds have transformed the once-vibrant playgrounds into abandoned patches of land.
“It was killing me slowly… every day I would go pick up the rubbish and throw it away. I went to Australia for two months and when I came back this park was calling me so two Sundays ago I just did it,” she said
Not waiting for any help, Yvonne got to work, picking up one piece of rubbish at a time without any assistance. When she was done, a pristine and peaceful haven looked back at her. She then shared beautiful pictures of her hard work in the Newcastle New City group, a platform for residents committed to again making Newcastle the cleanest town in KZN.
Though proud of her town, she harbours disappointment with the municipality’s lack of action in keeping the parks clean and residents’ apathy toward the state of the town. “I don’t think the municipality or the workers have the pride or the will to make this town what it used to be,” she said.
Yvonne also shares her frustration with people who park their cars there daily to drink and leave the park in a mess. “At least pick up after yourself,” she remarked.
Her call is for residents to take action – even it if starts small.
“Start by cutting the grass on your sidewalk and picking up your litter. Small steps, one thing at a time – this will all help.”
For now, Yvonne is intent on continuing her clean-up campaign. She is planning to tackle a bigger park at a local church and is working on a plan to get the job done. “The park is a little further from where I live, and I only have a ride-on and an electric machine, which will make this work harder to do—but I will get it done,” she said showing steely determination.
Concluding, Yvonne says she is doing this all for the kids and for the good of the community.
“After all that work, I heard children laughing, and when I looked out, I saw them playing in the park. The peace that overcame me was incredible.”
She encourages other residents to get out and join in making Newcastle a great town again.
“Take responsibility. We all live here. Do not wait for someone else to do something—just do it. Work has never killed anyone. Be proud. I’m 60 years old so there is no excuse for anyone – sorry,” she concluded.
Residents are reminded of the current municipal bylaws, which were published in May 2024.
The ordinances ban members of the public from consuming alcohol or being intoxicated in or in a public area. Furthermore, the by-laws provide that no one may deposit, dump, or dispose of any garbage or litter in a public location in a way that detracts from its cleanliness or causes a nuisance. Littering can result in an R2400 fine or up to two years in jail.
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