14 November has been agreed upon between DA councillor Dave Dewes and the record as the date to review progress with his plans to improve Florida Lake into a community space.
He envisions Florida Lake eventually to have the grandeur and respect of a Central Park, but says Dewes, a lot is to be done to achieve it.
When being asked by the record and Florida residents about the state of the lake after an illegal party was held there recently, Dewes says its general state saddens him.
“I want Florida Lake to be a proud beacon for us, to be like our own Central Park, but that sort of thing takes time and commitment to achieve,” Dewes says. “It’s a dream that I’ve had for over 30 years.”
To illustrate his vision Dewes reflects on trips he’s had to New York City.
“Florida Lake should be more like the hub of our community where we have weddings, celebrate birthdays, canoe on a summer’s day, meet for a picnic or simply play catch with our sons,” Dewes says.
His vision, however, is hampererd by a lack of cooperation from entities such as JMPD, City Parks and most notably city council. He submitted a ‘precinct plan’ in 2004 to support a larger strategy for different parts of Roodepoort; a vision he claims was reworked into the medium-term Corridors of Freedom strategy, which the City of Johannesburg hopes to complete by 2016. The strategy is aimed at improving the economic freedom and freedom of movement of residents. Similarly, Dewes claims to have motioned to develop Roodepoort with a focus on transit to link Roodepoort residents with the greater Johannesburg more effectively and to develop the lake into a community precinct.
“Florida Lake is supposed to link us as a community,” Dewes says, expressing his anger about the illegal party.
“They had no permission to use the lake as their venue – they were not even from our area.”
Dewes plans on laying criminal charges against the trespassers himself once they have been tracked down. His other plans are to reintroduce local sports clubs at the lake and to afford them a form of ownership at the lake. He argues that certain aspects thereof are already in motion.
“I want to get private entities involved in caring for the lake, sports clubs to look after activities, geography enthusiasts to care for the water, fishing enthusiasts to ensure responsible fishing and so forth,” Dewes explains.
“Continued efforts by local authorities, should they be efficient in their task, should dispense with negative ideas about the area and should ward off criminals and wrongdoers.”
