Residents disagree over the erection of a fence across the Parkhurst side of the Hamilton Park
PARKHURST – City Parks say they have not given permission for the fence to be erected.
A Parkhurst resident is up in arms after a fence was illegally erected on the 21st Street side of Hamilton Park without a public consultation process.
Concerned resident Gregor Heidemann reported that signs were posted on trees in the park last week informing residents that the fence would soon be erected to create a safer park.
“The sign included no contact details of the people erecting the fence, so I wrote on the sign that ‘we don’t want a fence’. The next day they started putting up the fence illegally,” said Heidemann.
“It’s an open, public park. Why should we close it in? If you build a fence and get attacked in the park, where can you go?” he added.
The Craighall Residents Association, who was referenced as the ones erecting the fence on the signs, does not exist. The Craigpark Residents Association (CRA) chaired by Harry Rosen said they did not approve of this installation.
“The CRA committee was approached four years ago to promote the Hamilton Park initiative. We informed our residents and offered bank account details for them to pay funds into if they were in support. Since then, our committee has heard nothing about this initiative until receiving numerous emails after the fence had been erected,” said Rosen.
“The CRA has not endorsed or in any way given our approval to the erection of the fence on the Parkhurst side of the park. If the CRA name is being used to imply our support for the erection of the fence, it was not done with our approval and should be removed immediately,” added Rosen.
Joss Du Trevou, who represents a WhatsApp group of 28 Parkhurst and Craighall Park residents called ‘My Park Community Group’, said he was erecting the fence to make the park safer, cleaner and more welcoming for families.
While he has been in contact with City Parks about the plans, they have not yet given approval for the fence to be erected.
The spokesperson for Johannesburg City Parks and Zoo (JCPZ) Jenny Moodley said they received an offer of assistance to erect a fence at Hamilton Park, but advised that public consultation must be conducted before JCPZ gives its approval.
“Unfortunately, due process was not complied with and the resident commenced with the installation of the fence. The project has subsequently been halted until affected residents are meaningfully engaged,” said Moodley.
Du Trevou said, “The CRA agreed to receive donations on behalf of residents for this project. We raised approximately R40 000 from residents over two years.”
“It is disheartening that one individual at the 11th hour, has decided to vilify the residents by using abusive language and defacing park signs instead of working with us,” added Du Trevou.
Ward 90 councillor Martin Williams said, “As a regular park user, Hamilton Avenue resident and neighbouring councillor, I ask that City Parks take note of degradation of the tributary spruit. This is especially marked in the lower reaches of the park where the number of displaced inhabitants has grown substantially.”
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