Ward 19 Clr Bill Rundle has raised concerns about the condition and deterioration of Protea Park.
The park, one of the largest in Edenvale, stretches from First Avenue to Dickie Fritz Avenue.
When the NEWS visited the park in November, broken braais, litter and damaged stormwater infrastructure could be seen.
“The park does not look good at all,” said Rundle. “It needs to be maintained.”
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Rundle’s biggest concern is the continuous soil erosion and the poor condition of the stormwater infrastructure cutting through the park.
In the middle of the park is an attenuation dam which is meant to slow the flow of the water before it reaches the Dickie Fritz Avenue bridge.
However, over the years water has caused erosion around the concrete and the dam has fallen into disrepair.
“If the stormwater infrastructure is not repaired soon it will cause problems for residents living on Bush Willow Road,” Rundle warned.
Continuous erosion of the riverbank towards the road could result in it being washed away.
“The road could be washed away in two years’ time.”
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Rundle claims the reason for the erosion is the lack of gabions along the river.
In one section where there are gabions along the riverbank, water from the spruit has eroded behind them.
Rundle said there is very little in place to protect the soil along the riverbanks.
“The park looks like a war zone with all the rubble and eroded gullies.”
Concrete, a shopping trolley and debris from last year’s floods line the spruit, while glass bottles, pieces of broken braais and litter can be found on land.
Rundle believes urgent attention must be given to the park before it deteriorates further.
A request for comment was sent to the City of Ekurhuleni communication department. Comment was requested by December 11 at 9am.
At the time of going to print no comment had been received.
