Kinross residents want their recreational park back

KINROSS – The recreational park near the clinic and Sasol Club was apparently bought by a well-known businessman.

Residents held several meetings regarding the park and signed petitions, because they want the park back.

They first heard rumours that the park was sold and believed the rumours when they saw people erecting palisade fencing around the park.

“When we enquired from Govan Mbeki Municipality, we were told the advert appeared in the Ridge Times and no one objected,” said a resident who added the municipality did not do justice to the community.

Residents think the municipality failed them, because they were supposed to call a community meeting and inform them of its intention to sell the park.

They added their children used to play at the park and will now roam the streets because they have no place to play.

The businessman who apparently bought the park, also bought a piece of land that was leased by a crèche.

Parents of the children who attend Sasolia Primary School and travel by bus to eMbalenhle and Leandra, also shared their concerns regarding the selling of the park.

“When the bus does not collect the kids or my child loses her bus ticket, I always knew my child would be playing in the park until I picked him up.

“The good thing about the park was that the crèche staff always kept an eye on our children when they played in the park to ensure their safety until the parents arrived to pick them up,” said a concerned parent.

There is another park near Thistle Grove Dam and Sasol is currently revamping it.

Residents said though Sasol is revamping it, they do not want their children to play there alone, because of the nearby dam and also because the children have to cross a busy road to go to the park.

The municipality was asked to comment on Monday, 6 February, but has refrained from doing so.