What once was a critter invested dumping site for household garbage and building rubble, now offers community members from MacKenzieville a beautiful, modern play park and outdoor gym with a spectacular pond view.
Although the location of Spruit Park itself does not meet with the approval of the MazKenzieville Ratepayers Accosiation (MRA), it was built in accordance with the City of Ekurhuleni’s (CoE) Lungile Mtshali Development Programme to provide residents with an outdoor recreational facility, which includes a jungle gym for young children and an outdoor gym for adults.
The park is situated opposite the residential area and behind the central business district, which means that visitors on foot (including unattended children) will have to cross the notorious Balfour Road first. It is also built right next to an open fishing pond in the Blesbokspruit catchment area.
“Many factors came into play and had to be considered before the ultimate decision was made to build the park on this specific premises,” DA councillor Wollaston Labuschagne said in response to HERAUT’s enquiry after objections were raised by members of the MRA.
“The project is however, not without it challenges and as it currently stands is around 80 to 90% complete and cannot be used by members of the public,” DA ward councillor Wollaston Labushagne added.
In an email, he highlighted that the contractor responsible for the development of the park has since abandoned the site and all the equipment have not yet been installed and/or delivered. He added that some of the swings still need seats, the instant lawn and rubberizing have not been done, the concrete tables and benches are incomplete and the perimeter bollards have not been delivered.
Labuschagne is of the opinion that the contractor should not have been paid by CoE until the work was complete.
He is now urging for intervention by the CoE to have the project finalised.
