AFTER last year’s financial setbacks following severe storms which lashed Durban in October, the city’s Park’s department has undergone restructuring that it is hoped will lead to services such as weed spraying, tree pruning and verge cutting being resumed.
On 1 July the department’s budget was replenished making funds available for essential services inlcuding the cleaning of vacant and abandoned properties, tree cutting and park maintenance that was formerly carried out using overtime staff.
“The verge cutting cycle has started. If your verges become overgrown, please contact me,” advised ward 31 councillor, Chris Pappas. He urged residents to try and maintain their own verges which helped in reducing crime and grime and gave communities a sense of pride in their neighbourhood.
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“A number of parks have received new play equipment and jungle gyms. We have also had two outdoor gyms installed at the cost R300 000 each. We will continue with our focus on open spaces this financial year with a number of parks earmarked for some long overdue maintenance work. These are mainly in the Overport, Asherville and Musgrave Ridge area. This will see new bollards, play equipment and new lighting as well as another outdoor gym for the Overport area if we are lucky,” he said.
He said he was also hoping to establish a new park in the Overport area if permission was received from the land owner.
For parks related issues contact sarisha.naidoo@durban.gov.za.
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