Residents focus on maintaining Flamingo park
“When a park is neat and safe and beautiful, it attracts positive people. But when a park is neglected, unfortunately it attracts the negative elements in a society.”
Residents from Wierda Park, Centurion, committed themselves to being the change they want to see in their community.
Ralph du Toit and David Leonard got more than 80 residents in their neighbourhood involved to commit to maintaining the nearby Flamingo Park.
“We approached our ward councillor as well as the metro and the deputy director of Tshwane’s community services department was keen to assist us.”
Du Toit said they don’t want to do the metro’s work, but rather want to assist with maintaining the municipal park.
“Flamingo Tennis club and Zwartkop Racing Pigeon club is also located here. We would like members of our neighbourhood to start enjoying the benefits of having such a lovely park.
“Our first community meeting was held on January 25 and 17 people attended. We communicate on a WhatsApp group now and our members have grown to more than 80.”
Du Toit said they found that many residents wished to assist with the project and have already contributed with material and labour.
“Grass was cut and the park was cleaned and cleared of litter and the like. But there is still a lot of work that needs to be done.”
Leonard, who also assists with the maintenance, encouraged residents to get involved and assist with materials such as paint.
“We would also like to repair the equipment in the park, and dustbins and poles are needed.”
DA councillor of ward 70, Marika Kruger-Muller said she has approached the relevant metro department in respect of litter picking to also assist.
“It would help a great deal if litter could be picked before the grass is cut, think about glass bottles for example.”
Kruger-Muller said she felt very positive about residents who wanted to uplift their neighbourhoods and take on responsibility.
“I facilitate community projects wherever possible. Unfortunately, there is simply not enough available in the budget for the municipality to get round to everything. We have to consider all municipal regulations however and the permission of the relevant director at Tshwane metro was obtained for this project.”
Du Toit said they specifically want to focus on the maintenance of the park.
“Often residents start a project and it keeps them busy for a couple of weeks. Then the grass and the plants start growing and need to be watered and weeds appear, but no one seemed to have thought about that.”
Leonard said they have already cleared the weeds on the curbs in the area, but there is a lot more to be done.
“We will need some weed killing products to get rid of the ‘duwweltjies’ [devil’s thorn] especially. We will also need fertiliser and the like.”
Du Toit said the “broken window principle” applies in this instance.
“When a park is neat and safe and beautiful, it attracts positive people. But when a park is neglected, unfortunately, it attracts the negative elements in society.”
He said they would like to see children returning to the park and residents to walk their dogs in the park again.
“Perhaps even have events here again,” Du Toit added.
Kruger-Muller said residents who want to donate and join and assist, can contact David or Ralph at 084 595 2008.
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