Kingfisher Park has been a 20-year headache for Pat Amerseder, who maintains the park together with a group of other residents and businesses. According to Amerseder the park was proclaimed 35 years ago and at the time city council developed a skate park and play area for children. However, Amerseder claims that for the past 20 years, City Parks has done nothing but mow the park’s lawns.
To keep the park looking pleasant, Amerseder and a group of 50 other residents, who live around the park contribute an extra monthly levy. The cost of maintaining the park is currently setting back residents R10 000 a year.
Amerseder views the most pertinent concern in the park as being the children’s play area, where soil erosion has exposed the concrete blocks around all the play equipment. She mentioned that a year ago a business owner wanted to donate R30 000 towards the maintenance of the park, however City Parks did not approve the donation.
Jenny Moodley, spokesperson for City Parks said she was awaiting a detailed report on Kingfisher Park from her operations team, and then the matter would be investigated fully. Regarding the would-be donor Moodley explained that the business owner had indeed wanted to donate R30 000 towards the park’s maintenance, but he had also wanted to erect a billboard on the park’s property to advertise his company. City Parks then referred the donor to the Joburg Property Company as they deal with outdoor advertising, but they never heard from the donor again.
Amerseder is calling on the Fourways community to donate their time, money or even provide a gardener on a regular basis to assist in maintaining Kingfisher Park.
Details: 011 705 1052; 073 171 5148; pamerseder@gmail.com
Do you think residents should bear the cost of maintaining parks in the neighbourhoods if City Parks has failed to maintain them? Comment below, and let us know.
