Sydenham residents are celebrating two long-awaited community improvements with the reopening of Barns Road Park and the rehabilitation of a major section of Randles Road, projects that have restored a valued public space and improved one of the suburb’s busiest transport routes.
The completion of both projects marks a significant investment in the area, enhancing public safety, creating a welcoming recreational space for families and improving daily travel for thousands of motorists.
For years, Barns Road Park had become a no-go area for many families after it was taken over by vagrants, leaving children with nowhere safe to play. Residents also complained that the park had become an informal parking area for school transport drivers waiting to collect learners, with vehicles occupying the open space throughout the day. They further raised concerns about people allegedly urinating in the park, making the facility increasingly unpleasant and unsafe for families to use.
Following persistent engagement with the eThekwini Municipality by Ward 33 DA councillor Remona McKenzie, funding was secured to fence the park. The project has now been completed, restoring the facility as a safe recreational space where children can once again play freely, and families can enjoy the outdoors.
“One of the biggest concerns raised by residents was the safety of the park. Families had stopped using it because of the activities taking place there. I am pleased that the municipality listened and allocated funding to fence the park, giving the community back a space they can safely enjoy,” said McKenzie.
Residents have also welcomed the resurfacing of Randles Road between Sparks Road and Rippon Road, bringing relief after years of deteriorating road conditions.
Motorists had long been forced to navigate deep potholes and uneven surfaces, while businesses along the busy route said the road’s poor condition discouraged customers from visiting. The newly resurfaced roadway, complete with fresh road markings, has transformed one of Sydenham’s key transport corridors.
McKenzie said the rehabilitation was the result of years of lobbying the municipality to prioritise the road.
“This has been a long time coming. Residents, businesses and motorists have endured the poor condition of this road for years, and I am grateful that the municipality has finally prioritised these repairs,” she said.
She added that the work was far from over, with a further R10 million already allocated to resurface the remaining section of Randles Road from Sparks Road to Waterfall Road.
“Once the next phase is completed, the entire road will be in a condition that residents can be proud of. It will improve safety, ease traffic flow and benefit everyone who travels through this area every day,” she said.
A business owner on Randles Road said the upgrade was already restoring confidence in the area.
“There were days when customers complained about driving here because of the potholes, while others simply stayed away. We are hopeful that with the road now resurfaced, people will start returning and business will improve again,” he said.
While residents acknowledge that other challenges remain across the suburb, they have welcomed the fencing of Barns Road Park and the rehabilitation of Randles Road as meaningful improvements that demonstrate the positive impact of sustained community advocacy and investment in local infrastructure.
