As part of the Mayoral Urban Regeneration Programme (MURP), the City’s Urban Management Directorate has allocated R7,5 million for the 2019/20 financial year, as a top up budget for the maintenance of parks in targeted areas.

The project will see the maintenance of parks across various areas in Subcouncils 2, 3, 6, 12, 14 and 17.

The allocation forms part of the Urban Management Directorate’s allocations per subcouncil in the 2019/2020 year to advance the objectives of MURP.

The project will see the replacement of park furniture, repair of rubber matting, refurbishment of vandalised infrastructure and clearing of litter resulting from illegal dumping.

‘Part of the purpose of the MURP programme is to renew public spaces to enable communities to fully enjoy recreational areas within their neighbourhoods. Having functional and quality spaces are important in creating pride in communities. I hope residents will cherish and preserve the refreshed parks for the enjoyment of all who live there,’ said the City’s Executive Mayor Alderman Dan Plato.

The City’s Mayoral Committee Member for Urban Management, Alderman Grant Twigg maintains that a clean and well-maintained public space offers a safe and enjoyable place for people to visit for hiking, picnicking, sporting activities, or just relaxing.

‘One of the best deterrents of vandalism and anti-social behaviour in our public spaces is for residents to come out in their numbers and make maximum use of the facilities. Residents need to claim their public spaces,’ said Alderman Twigg.

In areas where violence affects the use of parks, park attendants have been appointed from December 2019 until June 2020, to address vandalism, dumping and safety issues.

‘The Urban Management Directorate, through the Subcouncils have prioritised the need to create a safer, cleaner and caring environment for residents who make use of City parks. We want to restore the desire of communities to visit parks and relive some of the memories created in these spaces.

‘We remain committed to creating a caring, safe environment in our parks and recognise their importance in the lives of individuals, families, neighbourhoods and communities, as they are just as important as security services to improve the quality of life in a community,’ said Alderman Twigg.

Should residents witness acts of vandalism or anti-social behaviour, we ask them to please report this to their local South African Police Service or the City’s Call Centre on 0860 103 089.

‘The only way we can make progress and preserve our public spaces for all to enjoy, is if we work together to stamp out wanton acts of vandalism and anti-social behaviour,’ said Alderman Twigg.

Source: City Of Cape Town