Difference in the quality of suburbs is directly linked to positive involvement in community-building projects.
When envisioning the future of their surroundings, the founders of Florida chose Len Rutter Park as the spot that would serve as one of its outdoor treasures. Still beloved today, the prime outdoor venue continues to attract many leisure lovers, as well as the socially displaced or otherwise delinquent. To welcome spring and a renewed commitment to maintaining their suburb’s beauty, Florida Blockwatch and concerned community groups filled the park for a clean-up operation on September 4.
Clad in overalls and gumboots, the more than 60 attendees scoured the grass banks, bushes and river valley, collecting any and every piece of trash in sight. Small pockets of vagrant camps have sprouted in the more hidden parts of the park, and the waste they leave behind makes up for the bulk of the glass bottles and plastic that line the river. Part of the clean-up involved talks with the vagrants in attempts to educate them on the risks their pollution create.
Florida Blockwatch oversees community matters in the area marked by Ontdekkers Road to the north and Goldman Street to the south. Golf Club Terrace is the eastern extremity of their area, with West Avenue and Beacon Road marking the boundary in the opposite direction. Headed by John Kirsten, the blockwatch helps to create a network of like-minded residents wanting to find innovative ways of filling the holes left by an errant municipality.
The clean-up is one of the many ways in which residents can get involved in making a positive impact. John stressed that patrols do not have to come in the form of battlefield reconnaissance missions, as simply being observant of the on-goings within your immediate surroundings would suffice. “By having strong communication between neighbours we can take back the parks and the streets, but we have to start somewhere,” he said.
That start at the Len Rutter Park clean-up was organised by Amanda Snyman and Carrie Qualls, who arranged the security, refreshments and equipment. “Thanks to Leandra Real Estate and Pam Golding as well as Hoërskool Florida and their learners, Help 24, National and Rubber All for making this day a success,” said Amanda.
To get involved with the Florida Blockwatch, send information or suggestions to info@floridablockwatch.co.za.
