Tension has broken out among Melrose North residents regarding the presence of recyclers who sort their materials at the James and Ethel Gray Park.
Founder of Skeem Saam, an organisation that seeks to bring dignity and greater income for urban waste miners that earn an income from recycling, who is also a Melrose North resident Lisa Lowenthal, believes the men are an asset to the park.
She said, “Many residents believe these men are a security threat, but they are helping residents by keeping the park clean and alerting security about criminals in the park.
“Many residents here don’t like to see the real situation going on in the park. They see the guys here in the park and assume that they are the threat, but they aren’t.
” I don’t condone them living in the park, but I believe that they give back to the community by cleaning the park regularly.”
Jack Rapetswa who regularly patrols James and Ethel Gray Park while he walks dogs said, “Before Lisa came to work at the park a year ago, it was a big mess, but now it is clean and safe. The men work to clean up the park and Lisa gives them a lift to the buy-back centres in return.”
Lowenthal recently conducted an independent project to raise funds in order to erect bamboo screens which she has put up around the area where the recyclers sort their materials. “The screens help to hide mess caused by the sorters and create less of an eyesore to those driving along Athol Oaklands Road and those enjoying a walk at the park.”
She said that while many residents were opposed to the idea, she received R15 000 worth of donations from others in order to start the project.
The Birdhaven Ratepayers Association (BRA) responded to questions relating to this issue saying, “The BRA is supportive of a holistic and lawful outcome in respect of the recyclers. As the park is under the control and management of City Parks, the BRA has asked them for further guidance and information relating to the current position.”
The association intends to abide by the approach of City Parks who can make decisions about the use of public open spaces once a proper process has been followed. They also mentioned that the cleanliness, maintenance and environmental features of the park require constant attention and requests have been made to City Parks to provide additional resources for this purpose.
Chairman of another local residents’ association who wished to remain anonymous said that residents did not take issue with the erection of the screens in particular, but rather the degradation of the park thought to be caused by the recyclers.
“There is a large quantity of litter and pollution going into the James and Ethel Gray Dam, which is not helped by the men who do their recycling there. I believe that the work that they do is good for the City, but using the bank is not ideal… A facility needs to be found where it is easier for the men to do their work,” he said.
Lowenthal believes that it is not the recyclers who pollute the river, but rather the churches that meet at the park and construction workers who have lunch in the area. “These men would never throw their materials into the river because that would mean throwing away money.”
City Parks had not responded to questions by the time of going to press.
Related articles:
