NEVER UNDERESTIMATE THE VALUE OF PARKS AND WELL MAINTAINED OPEN SPACES IN SUBURBAN AREAS.
Category News
There are in Cape Town, and no doubt elsewhere, municipalities that have seriously neglected the maintenance of their public open spaces and parks, says Rowan Alexander, Director of the fast growing estate agency Alexander Swart Property. One of the reasons for this lack of enthusiasm he believes, is the devastation that previous water restrictions have caused in lawned and planted public spaces. The consequent decline of the parklands and, in some cases the invasion by the homeless and vagrants, could be used as a good reason for selling them off to private developers for housing or commercial use. The often serious budget shortfalls in many municipality accounts can make this a very attractive option for those running these bodies.
"The non-delivery is an especially serious matter because well maintained parks and open spaces are beneficial to, and enjoyed by the communities' walkers, dog minders and children in need of space to play. The lack of these brings down the value of all homes in the precinct; it is a proven fact that attractive open spaces add greatly to the value of homes in their vicinity", says Alexander.
In some instances concerned residents living in the area have taken it upon themselves to look after their parks. It does not take long before they are joined by other volunteers, who get considerable pleasure from working together on these worthwhile projects. Regrettably, these initiatives are few and far between: in most cases where the park is allowed to deteriorate, no remedial action is taken and the decision to sell off the open land becomes inevitable.
Alexander says that all those living in urban and peri-urban areas must put all the pressure they can on their local authorities to maintain and upgrade their parks to ensure far reaching and long-term benefits for the community.
For further information, please contact Rowan Alexander on 082 581 3116 or email: rowan@asproperty.co.za
Author: Independent Authour
