Residents tired of cleaning public park

Grass growing out into the road from the park is a safety hazard, residents say.

Cedar Park is looking a bit better, thanks to residents.

President Ridge residents are tired of mowing grass and trimming trees in Cedar Park when it is the mandate of the municipality to do so.

Residents even have to unblock stormwater drains that become clogged by grass and rubbish.

Grass growing into the road is a safety hazard, residents say. So they cut this grass themselves.

“Our community has been complaining for months and months about our parks,” said Dane Eckardt.

“It has become so dangerous for kids to play in. It’s overgrown on the pavement, so pedestrians are walking in the street and have almost been knocked over by cars.”

Erna Dreyer agreed that grass growing over into the road on Cedar and Beech avenues makes it a safety hazard on the bend.

Like the grass in the park, residents cut this grass on the road themselves.

Residents cut grass in the park and on the pavement in President Ridge.

Dreyer added the mess has attracted rats.

Ward 102 councillor David Potter said he has escalated the matter to City Parks and asked when a contractor will cut the grass.

“It worries me that the grass remains uncut despite the escalations,” he said.

“These parks are well-used by the local community and long grass also poses safety and security risks. The grass in this park was already long when it was escalated by my office to City Parks on March 21. The City should just function without the need for councillors to have to constantly chase and escalate issues.”

Residents keep the storm water drains clear of grass and rubbish at Cedar Park.

Questions were sent to Johannesburg City Parks and Zoo media relations assistant Noeleen Mattera on April 6.

She was asked to confirm whether City Parks has received complaints from the community; what it will do to maintain the area and how often this will be.

Also asked, was if City Parks encourage residents to cut the grass in parks themselves.