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High cost to upkeep Field and Study park

Rose Johnson writes:

As the chairman of Friends of Field and Study, I would like to add to the article ‘Field and Study falling apart’ week ending January 29, highlighted by councillor Vincent Earp.

To make it abundantly clear what the upkeep of Field and Study Park and Recreation Centre entails the following needs to be understood by the public:

The recreation centre and its buildings and grounds behind the fence are a separate entity and it is for the Department of Sport and Recreation to maintain in all respects – grounds and buildings.

Clearly this is not being done and the familiar words ‘no budget’ are one of the reasons.

The actual park outside the fence is where Friends of Field and Study are involved.

This is a section 21 company formed over four years ago when the spectre of development of parts of the grounds arose, and the public asked that such a company be formed to protect the park.

Because it is a government/council property under section 21, the Receiver does not allow us to spend any money on the property.

We are ‘guardians’ and have, with City Parks, tried to keep the parks, servitudes and council properties as well-maintained as possible.

The community must become involved as they have at Ernest Ullman Park and Recreation Centre.

The river and its banks are under the care of the Department of Environmental Affairs.

Three separate entities, all with inadequate funding, are trying to maintain the parks.

We will never be a world class city as far as our parks are concerned.

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