Some perceptions and preferences of residents' use of community neighbourhood parks in Mitchells Plain, Cape Town

Abstract

English: Urban parks help enhance the value of urban settings and provide dynamic recreation facilities for citizens; however, environmental injustice is still noticeable throughout South Africa regarding the unequal distribution of urban parks. This article provides an overview of community neighbourhood park (CNP) conditions in five subsections of Mitchells Plain (Beacon Valley, Portlands, Rocklands, Tafelsig, and Woodlands). Results indicate that 18% of the respondents in Mitchells Plain have to walk further than the accepted norm of 15 minutes to reach CNPs. This negatively influences the CNP usage patterns, and the time spent in CNPs. The most important concerns influencing CNP non-use include safety and improper maintenance (mostly experienced in Portlands), and a lack of facilities and natural features (mostly experienced in Tafelsig). The ways in which CNPs can be improved echo the concerns for not visiting CNPs frequently. Significant policy implications for the City Parks Department are also discussed.

Afrikaans: Stedelike parke help om die waarde van die stedelike omgewing te verhoog en voorsien inwoners van dinamiese ontspanningsfasiliteite; nietemin is omgewingsongeregtigheid nog steeds deur ‘n ongelyke verspreiding van stedelike parke in Suid-Afrika sigbaar. Hierdie artikel verskaf ‘n oorsig oor die kondisies in gemeenskapswoonbuurtparke (GWPe) in vyf onderafdelings van Mitchells Plain (Beacon Valley, Portlands, Rocklands, Tafelsig en Woodlands). Resultate toon dat 18% van respondente in Mitchells Plain verder as the aanvaarbare norm van 15 minute moet loop om GWPe te bereik. Dit het ‘n negatiewe invloed op GWPe gebruikspatrone, en die tyd wat in GWPe bestee word. Die belangrikste bekommernisse wat die niegebruik van GWPe beïnvloed, sluit veiligheid, onbehoorlike instandhouding (word meestal in Portlands ervaar), en ‘n gebrek aan fasiliteite en natuurlike eienskappe (word meestal in Tafelsig ervaar), in. Die maniere hoe GWPe verbeter kan word, weerklink die bekommernisse om GWPe nie gereeld te besoek nie. Beduidende beleidsimplikasies vir die stad se Parke Department word ook bespreek.