Vagrants delay restoration process of Jimmy Aves Park, says Tshwane
In the meantime, the tennis area at Jimmy Aves can be used, including the park in Vercuiel Street Garsfontein and the park at the corner of Garsfontein Road and Anton von Wouw Street in Waterkloof Glen.
Vagrants are being blamed for the delay in the rehabilitation of Jimmy Aves Park in Garsfontein after it was gated off to visitors to allow the process to commence in August last year.
The park in the east of Pretoria had faced years of neglect, tarnished by vagrancy, and open defecation.
According to the metro spokesperson Lindela Mashigo, the squatters need to be relocated through the intervention of joint relevant stakeholders.
“We had a few unsuccessful interventions as most of the squatters refuse to be relocated, stating they work in the area and use the park as a home.
Should we open the park, the park will go back to its former state.”
At this stage it is unclear how long the park will be shut to the public, as it was supposed to be rehabilitated and operational before the end of 2024.
It was set to be restored after vagrants living in the park caused an outcry with the community flagging ecological damage, safety, littering and drastic deterioration.
The park was described as once beautiful with a stream, tennis court, pedestrian walk and area for walking dogs.
Mashigo said the park is still closed for rehabilitation, which is not yet concluded.
“The delay in completing the restoration and refurbishment work is due to squatters still using the park even after warning to vacate [them]. This rehabilitation could not be executed,” said Mashigo.
Mashigo said the park was closed for rehabilitation of the spruit and wetland area due to human waste and cooking oil.
“Due to squatters residing in the park and using it as an ablution facility, it contaminated the stream of water.”
Mashigo said in the meantime, the tennis area at Jimmy Aves can be used, including the park in Vercuiel Street, Garsfontein and the park at the corner of Garsfontein Road and Anton von Wouw Street in Waterkloof Glen.
He said the spruit area along the veld grass has been identified for maintenance.
“The plan includes grass cutting, eradication of invader plants, treatment of human waste and cooking oil along the stream and tennis courts.”
Do you have more information about the story?
Please send us an email to bennittb@rekord.co.za or phone us on 083 625 4114.
For free breaking and community news, visit Rekord’s websites: Rekord East
For more news and interesting articles, like Rekord on Facebook, follow us on Twitter or Instagram or TikTok.
