Waterfall resident revamps rundown park

WHILE the 2020 Covid-19 lockdown threatened our social lives and left no hope, it was a wake-up call for Waterfall resident Shaun Emslie. Emslie took it upon himself to rewrite the story of an abandoned land, which was the Cumec Park.

According to Emslie, the park was used by the contractors employed to build Inanda Dam, and they stayed in park homes and also had a recreation area that included a tennis court, squash court and a very large swimming pool.

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“After they left, the park was not used much, but on occasion, the circus set up on the site – in the mid-90s – and was a big hit with the kids who would visit the elephants that were tethered under the trees during the day. Waterfall Sports Club was set up, and the sites, mainly the recreation area, were used and managed by the club.

“Until, from what I’ve heard, there was a tragedy in the pool, and the club closed down and the pool was filled in. This basically became an abandoned site and developed a bad reputation for drugs, prostitution and crime,” said Emslie.

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The retired resident said, “During lockdown, I was very frustrated that there was nowhere for the community to go walk, ride or run. In the short time we were given, I took it upon myself to start marking out trails and clearing them, just using basic hand tools such as a slasher, a spade and a rake. It just developed from there to approx 2.9km of trails. The trails were cleared by myself and my gardener, Bethwell, who has worked alongside me in clearing and now managing the trails,” he said.

Emslie said that the community has now gotten involved and helped to take the project further. He said they have done great work in cleaning up the illegal refuse dumping site.
“Waterfall Neighbourhood Watch also assist in patrolling the site, which has now also been fenced by the department, but we have been given keys to open and close the site on a daily basis,” he said.

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Emslie said he has one purpose – to give the community and more especially the children – a safe place to play at no cost. “I am also passionate about cycling and also assist kids from previously disadvantaged communities to try out mountain biking. I invite them to come ride and enjoy the trails and to source old bikes and riding kits. My son started off his cycling at the park as a five-year-old and now runs his own bike shop, so passion for cycling runs deep, but now it’s time to give back,” he said.