R1-million upgrade for Gillooly’s Farm

A consultant has been appointed to foresee a R1-million upgrade of Gillooly’s Farm.

This is according to Mr Themba Gumede of the Ekurhuleni Metropolitan Municipality’s (EMM) Department of Communications.

“R1-million will be utilised for the upgrading and repairing of playground equipment and paving in Gillooly’s Farm during this financial year. A consultant has been appointed. The maintenance following the upgrade will be done on a day-to-day basis by internal staff,” said Mr Gumede.

In recent months there have been several criticisms and commendations levelled regarding the state of Gillooly’s Farm.

Bedfordview resident and property owner, Mr David Walton said, “Gillooly’s Farm has become a disgraceful park. There are broken walk-ways and duck excreta everywhere. The dustbins are emptied, however there is excessive litter lying around.”

“Can these pathways not be repaired by the employees? Gillooly’s Farm was intended to be a tourist attraction but has become a disgrace which could easily be remedied,” said Mr Walton.

Mrs Jackie Manfield, a Bedfordview resident for 24 years, believes the upgrading and maintenance of Gillooly’s Farm is important for the Bedfordview community.

“Gillooly’s Farm is a place for the community to come together. Bedfordview is already a place characterised by high walls and neighbours who rarely interact. It is important that Gillooly’s Farm be maintained as it is one of the few areas community members can come together and interact,” said Mrs Mansfield.

“Over the years, Gillooly’s has undergone several changes. With the increase in population and usage of the park, it is understandable it would be littered now and again. I do not feel it is solely the responsibility of the staff and municipality workers to ensure the area is kept pristine. We, as users of the park, should take responsibility of our environment and do the basics such as cleaning up after ourselves after using the area,” said Mrs Mansfield.

According to Mr Justin Dickson, an owner at Gillooly’s Farm, “The internal employees and the council workers do a good job at maintaining the park. There are certain difficulties that come with maintaining an area of this scale.”

“On weekends, the park is usually full and during school holidays there is increased activity at the park, which leads to an increase in litter in the area. Dustbin diggers have also become an increasing contributor to the litter in the area,” said Mr Dickson

Mr Dickson believes regular visitors to the park understand maintenance more than the residents who visit the park less frequently.

“In my overall opinion, the park has been much cleaner than previous years. People who come to Gillooly’s Farm understand that it is a park regularly taken care of. People who do not visit frequently, and who come on a Monday following a busy weekend, will draw the conclusion that it is not being taken care of.”

“Council employees come to clean the park on Saturdays and Sundays. Perhaps to better maintain the park, the employees could come in on a Monday as well,” said Mr Dickson.

Mr Dickson believes Gillooly’s Farm has maintained its community spirit over the years.

“There are always visitors, family, friendly people and new people who come to the park. People who have not visited the park in years have given the staff here praise for the way it is maintained,” said Mr Dickson.

According to Mr Dickson, the safety at Gillooly’s Farm has also improved.

“The crime has decreased, especially when compared to last year. It has been seven months since there was a serious criminal act at Gillooly’s Farm,” he said. @BedfordJourno