A proposal was recently put forward to prioritise upgrading specific parks in Stellenbosch, in order to maintain a safe environment for children.
The proposal was shared with SMF News by Samantha Jackson, media manager for the GOOD party. It was submitted to councillor Ndipiwe Olayi, in charge of Stellenbosch Municipality’s parks and open spaces portfolio committee, on 29 March.
Johnson Park in Ida’s Valley was one of the Stellenbosch parks listed as being unsafe in a recent proposal to have parks in Stellenbosch upgraded. “We believe municipalities must invest in the infrastructure our youth need to grow and stay active,” said Marius van Stade, party whip for GOOD Stellenbosch, in correspondence with SMF News. PHOTO: Reid Donson
This comes after the approval in February of tender BSM 47/25, which aims to upgrade Stellenbosch municipal play parks through sports and recreational equipment, according to Marius van Stade, party whip for GOOD Stellenbosch, in correspondence with SMF News.
Stuart Grobbelaar, communications manager for Stellenbosch Municipality, confirmed that a tender for the upgrade had been approved, but that there is still a period of time needed for bids to be submitted and evaluated before any work can begin.
Vandalised exercise equipment at Tennantville municipal park in Stellenbosch. “[Parks like] the one in Tennantville and the others, they [are] not fenced in,” said Bettie Nieuwoudt, director of StellCARE, a non-profit organisation that supports Stellenbosch communities. “Sometimes [there is] also vandalism.” PHOTO: Reid Donson
Details of the proposal
According to the proposal by GOOD, the following parks should be considered for upgrades because of safety concerns:
· Kylemore – Daffodil municipal park
· Pniel – Riverside municipal park
· Lanquedoc – Suikerbossie municipal park
· Ida’s Valley – Johnson municipal park
· Vlottenburg – Longlands municipal park
· Tennantville – Tennantville municipal park
· Stellenbosch – Lavanda municipal park
“Our submission is a proactive response,” said Van Stade. “As GOOD, we believe that inclusive and accessible recreational areas help build a more cohesive and connected society.”
The proposal provides an action plan to improve the parks, such as replacing damaged equipment and improving fencing.
An example of damaged recreational equipment at Tennantville municipal park. PHOTO: Reid Donson
Grobbelaar confirmed that Olayi had received GOOD’s proposal. He said that after being received, proposals are either registered with the speaker’s office, if it is the concern of the council, or the municipal manager’s office, if it is an administrative matter.
‘Bad elements’
Eon Hendrickse, the co-founder of Ida’s Valley Community Trails, said that the recreational parks in previously disadvantaged areas do not present themselves as recreational spaces.
“The way it looks creates the opportunity for illegal activities,” said Hendrickse.
“It attracts bad elements,” said John Moses, an Ida’s Valley resident, regarding the state of Johnson Park, which is near his house. “[There’s] a lot of drinking [and people] smoking ganja and tik.”
A climbing frame and swing set at Johnson Park in Ida’s Valley. John Moses, an Ida’s Valley resident who lives near the park, said that the climbing frame is “a ganja smoking area” and that the swings “were replaced recently, but these kids, they broke down everything”. PHOTO: Reid Donson
“Is there any park that is safe?” said Bettie Nieuwoudt, director of StellCARE, a non-profit organisation that supports Stellenbosch communities. “Certain parks [are] already fenced in, but still […] children are not really part of the park.”
“Stellenbosch Municipality takes great pride in ensuring that our parks and public spaces are well-maintained, safe, and welcoming,” said Grobbelaar, in correspondence with SMF News.
A rubbish bin in the Riverside Street municipal park in Pniel, with the words “Hou ons park skoon [Keep our park clean]” printed on it. PHOTO: Reid Donson