Residents want Florida Lake back to its former glory

Residents are mourning the slow decay of Roodepoort’s grand old dame, Florida Lake.

Last Wednesday (11 June) almost half a day was spent at Florida Lake to inspect the state of affairs at this once popular outdoor attraction and to gauge the sentiments of the public.

As early as 11am it was alarming to see so many school children in uniform loitering around the lake. When a couple of adolescents were approached for comment on the state of the lake it was discovered that they were about to light up a joint while sharing beer. This was in broad daylight, right next to the road for everyone to see.

Remnants of drug use such as the small zip-lock bags it is sold in as well as other drug paraphernalia were not hard to find.

Although relatively sparsely spaced out, the public seemed disinterested in using the bins supplied for litter. Instead litter was strewn everywhere and even the hyacinths on the lake were specked with rubbish. Everywhere broken bottles could be seen.

The remains of the old Roodepoort Info Kiosk have not been removed months after it was demolished. On a positive note contractors were busy renovating the pool.

“There is no law enforcement here, that is probably the biggest problem,” says Hennie du Preez who has lived in Florida for ten years but have been going to the lake for fishing for longer than that.

“Stop streets are ignored and it seems that speed humps are used for ramps,” he continues. “If you go over there you also will find lots of those small plastic bags that they sell drugs in,” says the unhappy Du Preez.

His friend Frik Rousseau bemoans the state of the lake.

“The people are most to blame. On Sundays they come here early morning with the music blaring. They openly drink in public and litter but the cops just drive past,” says Rousseau who also has been visiting the lake for many years.

He points to a spot explaining how sewage flows from a manhole into the lake from time to time.

Emmie van Niekerk remembers the ‘good old days’.

“Yes, its not peaceful anymore. The young people party and make a noise. There are strange characters who loiter and make you feel uneasy if you go for a walk. I remember the late 80s early 90s when old people and families strolling around or having a picnic was a common sight. Nowadays that is too dangerous,” says Van Niekerk.

Hulda Snyman also lives close by. She stops with her sausage dog in tow.

“It’s changed a lot. Probably the thing that bothers me most is all the rubbish and the criminal element. I only walk here with my dog. It might be a small dog but it makes me feel a little safer,” laments Snyman.

The Roodepoort record is awaiting comment from City Parks.