As a Paarl resident I really enjoy the Arboretum and what it has to offer. Beautiful calming natural beauty and fresh air. This is a treasure and a jewel Paarl would not want to lose from her crown!
There are, however, a few issues that frustrate me immensely, and I would like to get this off my chest and hopefully make a difference to the greater Paarl community.
1. The Arboretum is an open public space. The facility is not fenced allowing for free passage to everyone. Who carries the responsibility if someone is assaulted or, even worse, drowns? Drakenstein Municipality will obviously have to take responsibility as there are no indemnity signs up at the entrance.
2. There is a walk bridge over the river with a gate which can be locked. This gate is never in use and can be removed for use somewhere else as it is obsolete.
3. Lights are not working as the lamp posts have been vandalised. At night there are no street lights working at the entrance to the walkway bridge. This makes that area very unsafe and dodgy at night.
4. The river becomes a swimming pool in summer. This has led to many drownings.
5. The arboretum has been identified as an eco park, with a major funding sponsorship from Germany. The information boards giving details of the ecosystem have already been ripped off. The wooden benches seem to be used for firewood. These have been replaced with concrete benches.
6. The gate leading to the adjacent farm is vandalised and never gets locked. The gate at the Cecilia Street entrance is always open leading to many boot bars and alcohol bottles are littered all over.
7. The arboretum also serves as entertainment area for four legged pets. Some not on leashes, and owners not carrying doggy bags to reduce the carbon footprint.
8. The carbon footprint needs to be reduced, yet there are very few litter bins.
9. It is very confusing when entering the Arboretum as one does not know what is all planted there, it seems to be a mixed bag of chopped down trees, and the rest being mix and match? Long grass and tree stumps making up the rest of the scenery.
10. The arboretum also serves as a parkrun facility, walking facility and cycling area. Some cyclists riding so hard and fast that you are unaware of their presence until you hear the sound of speeding wind, being thankful you have not been wiped out.
So much for trying to reduce the human carbon footprint.
And so the list can continue. Paarl deserves better. We need to preserve this precious area for generations to come. Surely if we all work together and develop a sustainability plan this area can be preserved and protected. Paarl is a jewel in the Boland crown.
The Arboretum is an area we need to feel proud about and cherish.
