The State of Denver Park has left much to be desired according to community members and ward councillors alike.
Located near the bottom of the Avenues between First and Van Riebeeck avenues, the park, which forms part of the Eastleigh Stormwater Servitude, has turned into an eyesore for community members.
On July 8 the NEWS attended a site meeting called by Ward 19 Clr Bill Rundle, which was held with the hopes of allowing concerned community members the opportunity to interact with the City Of Ekurhuleni.
Besides Rundle and two community members, representatives of EMPD, MP Michael Waters and Ward 18 Clr Heather Hart attended.
Representatives from the parks department were invited, however, they were unable to attend.
The main concerns raised by community members and councillors are the continued presence of vagrants and recyclers who sort through collected materials at the park and the lack of maintenance by the city.
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Community member Lex Winson who lives near the park said the matter started becoming an issue in 2018 when portable gazebos were erected in the park.
“As community members, we are paying for a service which we are not getting.”
While at the park the NEWS observed several recyclers sorting through their material.
Rundle highlighted that besides the mess created by the vagrants the unmaintained grass in the park poses a veld fire risk to neighbouring properties.
Edenvale EMPD precinct commander Chief Supt Leon Saaiman explained that although EMPD tries its best to police recyclers and vagrants, it is challenging to do.
“During the day the recyclers and vagrants are collecting material so we EMPD members focus on policing them at night.
“Removing them and confiscating their items is the easy part, but vagrants and recyclers are still human beings and will often return in another area.
“At the start of the lockdown, EMPD worked together with the Department of Social Development to relocate the recyclers and vagrants to a place of safety.
“Within a few days, they returned to Edenvale.”
Saaiman highlighted that a fence was meant to be erected around the park last year to better control access to the areas.
Rundle emphasised that all of the city’s departments need to work together if this problem is to be resolved.
A request for comment was sent to the CoE on July 16 at 10.30am requesting comment by July 17 at 4pm.
At the time of going to publishing no comment was received.
