GRAAFF-REINET NEWS - The new playground facility that was opened in Lotusville just over two years ago, has deteriorated badly, with even the paving stones now gone.

Soon after it was first opened, vertical poles from the fencing were stolen, and in some places there are now huge gaps with only the horizontal bars left.

Two large metal frames were erected, and swings and ropes were suspended from the framework. These are now just empty frames, too high for the children to swing on. A large climbing frame, with peeling paint, can still be used by the younger children, but only the metal bars remain.

The suspended drums that were part of the original jungle gym have long since been taken.

"It upsets me to see children destroying things that are of help and value to them," said contractor Joan Mafilika. "We had beautiful plants, we fetched big decorative stones, but all that is gone."

Litter is strewn around the area, including broken glass and used condoms.

Photos: Sue Shaw

The playground is crisscrossed with pathways, and there are some braai areas with benches and tables. Originally, the paths and the areas around the braais were paved, but now all that remains is dusty earth.

A resident who lives across the street from the playground claimed members of the community were stealing the paving bricks.

"Workers came and pulled up the bricks that were left, and took them away in a municipal vehicle," said the resident, who wishes to remain anonymous.

Several piles of paving bricks, thought to be from the playground, are at the municipal yard in Hope Street.

Eldrige Ruiters, a DA PR councillor who lives in Lotusville, is saddened at the state of the facilities. "Our children need somewhere clean and safe to play, so we were delighted when the playground was opened and they no longer had to play in the streets," Ruiters said.

He feels that more should have been done from both the municipality and the community to protect and maintain this facility. "Members of the community should have taken ownership of the facility, and reported wrongdoings," said Ruiters. He would also like to see Community Work Programme and municipal workers used to clean and supervise the park regularly.

The municipality advised the Advertiser to rather contact a councillor for comment.

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