Anger of President Ridge residents abates as the grass is finally cut in Cedar Park
The tall grass that made the park an eyesore and grew out into the street, has finally been cut.
President Ridge residents are glad to see the grass in Cedar Park has finally been cut by the municipality, a few months after the matter was brought to their attention.
The article Anger grows like grass in the edition week ending April 21 highlighted their frustrations with having to mow grass and trim trees in the park themselves. This especially as grass growing out into Cedar and Beech avenues caused cars to veer into the middle of the road, which makes driving and walking on the streets unsafe. Also, stormwater drains had become blocked with grass and rubbish.
Read: Residents tired of cleaning public park
Residents Dane Eckardt and Erna Dreyer brought the matter to the Randburg Sun after Ward 102 councillor David Potter raised it with Johannesburg City Parks and Zoo. A few weeks later, City Parks responded.
“The road is breaking up due to the grass but we are so grateful that pedestrians can walk through the park again,” said Dane Eckardt. He added, however, that the cutting of grass revealed rubbish that had been dumped in the park but was hidden by overgrowth.
Potter expressed frustration that it took months of escalations for the grass to be cut. “The grass in this park was already long when it was escalated by my office to City Parks on March 21,” he said.
“The city should just function without the need for councillors to have to constantly chase and escalate issues. These parks are well-used by the local community and long grass also poses safety and security risks.”
City Parks media relations assistant Noeleen Mattera has yet to respond to questions sent to her on April 6. She was asked to confirm whether City Parks has received complaints from the community; what it would do to maintain the area and how often this will be.
Also asked, was if City Parks encourages residents to cut the grass in parks themselves. Mattera said the enquiry was sent to the regional manager, and she awaits his response. No further comment was received by the time of going to print.
