Democratic Alliance Ward 31 councillor, Remona McKenzie, has raised concerns about the neglected state of parks and recreational areas in eThekwini.
This follows after she conducted oversights at some of the parks in her ward. One of the parks is George Hill Park, near Randles Road in Sydenham. McKenzie said the park is in a state of disrepair, with overgrown vegetation and no maintenance for several months. She explained that the continued lack of upkeep has caused parks and gardens, which should be safe and welcoming areas for recreation, to deteriorate. “Residents are being denied the use of these important spaces for leisure and social activities because of the neglect,” said McKenzie.
She said that over the months, parks have received no necessary upgrades, and essential infrastructure, such as playground equipment and seating areas, has collapsed, creating safety hazards for visitors.
“Residents deserve well-maintained public spaces that promote safety and community well-being. The ongoing neglect of our parks and gardens is unacceptable. We need to see proactive measures, not just promises, to restore these areas and ensure they remain valuable assets for everyone,” she added in frustration.
McKenzie said the lack of transparency and communication from District 7 management has only compounded the problem. “We have repeatedly raised these concerns with District 7 management, but meaningful action has yet to be taken. Many residents and councillors feel excluded from decisions that directly affect their neighbourhoods, as they are not adequately informed about maintenance or upgrade plans,” said McKenzie.
She emphasised that routine maintenance, such as repainting swings and repairing damaged facilities, has been ignored and noted that the removal of security measures has allowed illegal activities and vandalism to increase, making parks unsafe for families. “These spaces have become dangerous for children and families to use.”
McKenzie said the inadequate allocation of resources and inconsistent budgeting have raised further concerns. “A comprehensive review of our park maintenance and budgeting processes is needed. Funds should be used effectively to ensure parks are properly maintained and upgraded,” said the councillor.
Frequent changes in municipal staff have complicated efforts to address the problem, hindering long-term accountability and oversight. McKenzie also expressed concern about the link between neglected public spaces and crime, pointing to the broken window theory, which suggests that poorly maintained areas contribute to an increase in criminal activity.
Despite numerous attempts to engage with District 7 management, no significant results have been achieved. Councillor McKenzie has now extended an invitation to the City Manager and Mayor to visit the affected areas and witness firsthand the extent of the deterioration. “The restoration and maintenance of our parks and gardens must be made a priority,” she concluded. “We need to ensure these spaces remain safe and welcoming environments for everyone in the community.”
EThekwini’s Parks and Recreation Department was contacted for comment; however, the request was acknowledged by the communications unit, but no response was received at the time of going to print.
