INLSA
Trees are being chopped down in Douglas Carpendale Park near Durbans beachfront to make way for a soccer pitch. Elderly residents who use the area say their need for shade was not considered.
An upgrade of Douglas Carpendale Park near Durban’s North Beach, which involves the removal of several trees, is causing consternation among elderly residents who use the area.
With two retirement centres close by, the park, which is near the beachfront, has been a recreation area for pensioners for several years. However, the municipality is cutting down the fir trees and planning to turn the area into a soccer pitch.
North Beach residents said they were not given advance notice of the changes to their “beloved” park.
“I use the park every day to relax and I use it to make my way to the local store,” said a disgruntled resident of the nearby Eden Roc retirement home. “They are selling the fir trees from the park. With the trees gone there will not be any shade for residents.”
“They want to install swings so the children can play, but I don’t understand why it is going to be turned into a soccer field. Where were these children playing before?” said another pensioner.
“We will be walking in the sun from now on and the city is ruining the greenery in the area. This is a big shock to us,” said Debbie Smith, a North Beach resident.
The councillor for the area, Bongimusa Dlamini, said the city’s parks and recreation department was overseeing the project. The department was unavailable for comment.
