The council finally cleared the park and started the restoration project we fought for so long. It feels surreal to see the space reclaim itself after everything we endured. Keep an eye on the area to ensure the city maintains this progress.
September 2, 2016
Final supporters
We, the citizens, ratepayers, and voters in the suburbs around Van Riebeeck Park appeal to you as Council representatives to take action regarding the growing squatting problem in Van Riebeeck Park. We are deeply concerned about this situation as we believe it poses the following threats to the area:
Health – the fresh water streams being used for toilet purposes, bathing and washing clothes. This poses a health risk to the community.
Safety and Security – there are eight schools and one old-age home within 500 m of the area, which makes walking through the park a potential risk for children and the elderly in particular. In addition, it makes those wanting to use the park for recreational purposes feel vulnerable and unsafe. The harbouring of criminals is also a likely possibility.
Environmental – fires are being made on a daily basis by the squatters irrespective of weather conditions. This can cause the spreading of fires onto the mountain and is a threat to near-by homes. In addition, branches and trees are being cut down for this purpose, resulting in environmental degradation to the area. The area underfoot has been denuded.
Tourism - adverse impact on tourist activity in the area. Concerns for their health and safety.
We acknowledge that the issue of homelessness is a serious one and presents a major challenge to the City of Cape Town – however, as ratepayers, we have the right to be protected and to feel safe in the area in which we live.
- We call on you to institute a regular, consistent, weekly clean out of the materials used by and rubbish left by squatters in the Park.
- We call on you to actively prosecute those responsible for destroying the environment and making fires in the Park.
- We call on you to actively support the plans by Friends of Van Riebeeck Park to create a safe public space for recreational purposes in the area.
Updates
June 28, 2016
The silence from the council is wearing me down but I am not stopping now. I spend my evenings reading your messages about broken fences and forgotten spaces and it reminds me why this matters. We will keep pushing until the city acknowledges what is happening in our own backyard.
June 28, 2016
Reaching this level of support feels like a heavy weight being lifted because it proves I am not the only one losing sleep over the state of our park. The path ahead remains long and exhausting but seeing so many of you join this effort provides the strength to keep pushing forward.
Reached 100 supporters
June 28, 2016
67 Comments
It would be great to further develop the MTB track that is in the park. One cannot use it as the track is blocked by the people sleeping there and is also unsafe to use alone. The smell and rubbish is also out of control.
Whilst empathizing with homeless and less fortunate people, the situation cannot be left unchecked. The bigger it grows, the more difficult it is to resolve. Please take action now!
The CCT is expected to maintain parks for their intended purpose. These spaces are not zoned for residential and people are not permitted to live in these spaces. It should be cleared and rehabilitated for its intended purpose.
I have driven and walked passed on numerous occasions with as many as 5 different fires burning at the same time. I don't feel safe using the park and we are no longer able to use the single track bike trail constructed by the community in their own time and at their own cost due to the people living in the park.
I am a rate payer living in the area and no longer feel safe using the park and cannot go there with my children any more. As rate payers we surely have the right to use the parks in our area without feeling unsafe. The vagrancy issues in Van Riebeeck Park and surrounding areas must be addressed by the City of Cape Town.
The situation is growing out of control and has to be addressed as a matter of urgency. There has to be permanent removal of the squatters and policing to ensure there is no return. What you inspect, is respected.
I fully support this petition. Our parks need to be cleaned up!
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The council finally cleared the park and started the restoration project we fought for so long. It feels surreal to see the space reclaim itself after everything we endured. Keep an eye on the area to ensure the city maintains this progress.
September 2, 2016
Final supporters
We, the citizens, ratepayers, and voters in the suburbs around Van Riebeeck Park appeal to you as Council representatives to take action regarding the growing squatting problem in Van Riebeeck Park. We are deeply concerned about this situation as we believe it poses the following threats to the area:
Health – the fresh water streams being used for toilet purposes, bathing and washing clothes. This poses a health risk to the community.
Safety and Security – there are eight schools and one old-age home within 500 m of the area, which makes walking through the park a potential risk for children and the elderly in particular. In addition, it makes those wanting to use the park for recreational purposes feel vulnerable and unsafe. The harbouring of criminals is also a likely possibility.
Environmental – fires are being made on a daily basis by the squatters irrespective of weather conditions. This can cause the spreading of fires onto the mountain and is a threat to near-by homes. In addition, branches and trees are being cut down for this purpose, resulting in environmental degradation to the area. The area underfoot has been denuded.
Tourism - adverse impact on tourist activity in the area. Concerns for their health and safety.
We acknowledge that the issue of homelessness is a serious one and presents a major challenge to the City of Cape Town – however, as ratepayers, we have the right to be protected and to feel safe in the area in which we live.
- We call on you to institute a regular, consistent, weekly clean out of the materials used by and rubbish left by squatters in the Park.
- We call on you to actively prosecute those responsible for destroying the environment and making fires in the Park.
- We call on you to actively support the plans by Friends of Van Riebeeck Park to create a safe public space for recreational purposes in the area.
Updates
June 28, 2016
The silence from the council is wearing me down but I am not stopping now. I spend my evenings reading your messages about broken fences and forgotten spaces and it reminds me why this matters. We will keep pushing until the city acknowledges what is happening in our own backyard.
June 28, 2016
Reaching this level of support feels like a heavy weight being lifted because it proves I am not the only one losing sleep over the state of our park. The path ahead remains long and exhausting but seeing so many of you join this effort provides the strength to keep pushing forward.
Reached 100 supporters
June 28, 2016
67 Comments
We live directly opposite the park on Sidmouth Avenue and have nightly interruptions of noise and screaming. Fires are always made and there are many people sleeping at the bottom of the park making it dangerous for children and adults to cycle and play safely!
It would be great to further develop the MTB track that is in the park. One cannot use it as the track is blocked by the people sleeping there and is also unsafe to use alone. The smell and rubbish is also out of control.
Whilst empathizing with homeless and less fortunate people, the situation cannot be left unchecked. The bigger it grows, the more difficult it is to resolve. Please take action now!
The CCT is expected to maintain parks for their intended purpose. These spaces are not zoned for residential and people are not permitted to live in these spaces. It should be cleared and rehabilitated for its intended purpose.
I have driven and walked passed on numerous occasions with as many as 5 different fires burning at the same time. I don't feel safe using the park and we are no longer able to use the single track bike trail constructed by the community in their own time and at their own cost due to the people living in the park.
I am a rate payer living in the area and no longer feel safe using the park and cannot go there with my children any more. As rate payers we surely have the right to use the parks in our area without feeling unsafe. The vagrancy issues in Van Riebeeck Park and surrounding areas must be addressed by the City of Cape Town.
The situation is growing out of control and has to be addressed as a matter of urgency. There has to be permanent removal of the squatters and policing to ensure there is no return. What you inspect, is respected.
I fully support this petition. Our parks need to be cleaned up!
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We live directly opposite the park on Sidmouth Avenue and have nightly interruptions of noise and screaming. Fires are always made and there are many people sleeping at the bottom of the park making it dangerous for children and adults to cycle and play safely!