Naming and shaming poorly-maintained park spaces
SANDTON - A resident has taken it upon herself to name and shame inadequate park spaces that are not properly maintained by City Parks and wants the community to join her in doing the same.
The resident who does not wish to be named, put up a placard at the corner of William Nicol and Sandton drives with the message ‘Parks junk status’ on it, in her efforts to get City Parks to notice the sign and take action towards cleaning up the area.
The park space just outside of the Rosebank Union Church in Sandton had overgrown grass, litter and shrubs.
“I put up the sign on 7 April and a week after, on 13 April, action was taken,” she explained. “I challenge other residents to do the same. We must name and shame City Parks areas that are not taken care of.”
However, she added that City Parks only completed half of the job. “They still need to come back and cut the rest of the grass and remove the weeds from the tar which will end up causing potholes in the long run,” she said.
She also said members of the church once took on the initiative and organised that the grass outside their premises be cut. “The members were ashamed of the lack of maintenance from City Parks,” she added. The members apparently then got into trouble with the officials for cutting the grass themselves. “The church was prepared to have two men maintain the outside area at their cost,” she added.
“It is important for community members to take ownership of their areas. We can’t rely on the government to do everything.”
What do you make of the resident’s plan to get service delivery action from City Parks? Tell us on our Sandton Chronicle Facebook page if this is an initiative you will consider taking part in.
