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Improvements at the Park

Despite its use by residents, by early 2008, Verity Park had become rather run down and dirtied with dog poop landmines, litter and other detritis. A user survey was conducted in June 2008 and the improvements to the park began in August 2008.

• 3 benches and trash bins were donated by Joburg City Parks;
• The money for several benches, a table, goal posts and the new signage with dog poop bag dispensors was spsonsored by Nan Roberts Estates and the Craighall Park Animal Hospital (2 local businesses);
• Most dog walkers were quick to respond to the call for poop pick ups and over R14,000 has so far been donated by dog walkers to help with maintenance expenses;
• James Muleleke, a local builder/handyman, is employed to sweep the park 5 times a week to clean up the small amounts of poop and litter that are not picked up and carry out repairs as when needed. 

The results of the User Survey were (click on the image to enlarge):

    
 
The majority (63%) of park users said that they like the park for its sociable, friendly or community atmosphere. 46% of them thought that it was also good for their dogs (another 13% said that it was good for socialising dogs). 38% liked the convenience of having the park near to where they lived. After that there were several people who liked the security of the park (see below for those who were aware of security problems). Several also liked the feeling of open space.

When it came to the users dislikes, 3 main ones emerged: Litter and trash (54%), dog pooh & dog owner’s attitudes (46%) and vagrants (33%). Other dislikes had several “champions” – security, issues around the children’s play park and issues surrounding urban decay.

Regarding park improvements, it is clear again that dog pooh and trash / litter issues dominate. This list is an important indication of what the users would actually like to happen in the park. Many points raised by this list were already scheduled to be addressed and several others like sprung gates at the entrances, lighting, beautification etc have now been identified and addressed.

Users’s Comments from the Survey

• It is a wonderful, accessible bit of open space for walking and dogs and tennis and meeting neighbours.

• We live in Parktown North and prefer this park to others that are close by.

• We use the park a lot since we have a dog and he goes there to run almost every morning and afternoon. I feel sometimes that I must be the only one bringing along a plastic bag to pick up my dog’s pooh. Sometimes we go over to the Dunkeld Park and I can tell you it makes a difference that there are bags available for people (and a bit of peer pressure).
• We are so fortunate to have the park, yet it is treated with such indifference – especially by the people who use it on a daily basis.
• I don’t come to the park it self very much as I find it intimidating for myself and my shy dog when huge groups of people are walking together, chatting and not noticing what their dogs are up to. Often the little ones race after my dogs and frighten them.
• I think the bollards and roses put up this year (near the PO Boxes) were a complete waste of money, so be careful what you use your funds for.
• I support the additional trash bins, but have reservations re the benches/tables which may be more inviting to vagrants which may backfire on the original plan of making it better for the residents.
• We should be careful not to introduce all sorts of rules and regulations that might impact on the enjoyment by residents.
• We live less than a block away but do not use it for the reasons you mentioned: dog pooh (and not just a little bit), drunken vagrants and litter. At the moment I take my 19 month old son to the Hugh Wyndham Park in Dunkeld twice a week. We would definitely use the park if it was of the same standards as the Dunkeld Park. A big percentage of the Dunkeld Park. Users comer from Parkhurst. 

Some Pics of the Upgrade

                

From left to right: the signs go up; the signs and a new bin; the 1st poop pick up; James with wheelbarrow; James finishes off the steps; one of 12 new fence posts; restringing the top wires between fence posts. 
 

Verity Park History

The land that comprises Verity Park, the tennis courts, the recreation hall, swimming pool and clinic is a two block area in Parkhurst that could have been just another clump of houses. As Parkhurst grew in the 1930s it was clear that there was a need for some recreational facilities.

In 1937 the Johannesburg City Council looked at possible sites in Parkhurst and found that there were 2 empty blocks bounded by 5th/6th Aves and 12th/14th Sts and they they started buying the land for the grounds. They hoped to pay about £14 per stand and were shocked when African Realty Trust, who owned 16 of the 32 stands, wanted £100 each. After quite a bit of fuss, an independent valuation priced them at £53 and the Council eventually caved in and paid between £100-110 to all the owners.

In 1941 the Parkhurst Ratepayers Association requested that the park be named after Councillor HH Verity who had done a great deal of work in the suburb (HH Verity was the Deputy Mayor during WW2 and was especially interested in providing parks and open areas for the city).

It was only after the WW2 that the tennis courts and a soccer field were constructed. A resident said that even in the late 1940s, it was “just a playing field with swings and a big slide like a giraffe’s neck.

Verity Park Recreation Centre was opened on 22 Apr 1967 by the Mayor. In 1974 work started on the Child Health Clinic which moved here from the NG Church in 10th St. The library opened here in its new premises in 1994.