I have just read Pippa Coom’s column on the condition of Western Springs Lakeside Park in Ponsonby News.
The parks track between the Stadium Road entrance and the path to the toilet block are the most messiest of the areas. I can tell you categorically that there has been NO water blasting of any sort within the the last month if not longer. It had been my intention of raising this issue and your article has certainly saved me time finding out who to address these issues with.
May I suggest you physically inspect the path/park yourself as I for one am embarrassed to think that the many families and tour groups that regularly attend the park think this is normal and leave never to return.
It is disgusting to say the least that daily I am forced to wash the ingrained poop from my walking shoes. It’s is not the birds fault, it’s their home. We as guardians need to be far more vigilant and attend their surroundings and instill our pride of such an amenity to the people who use this city fringe sanctuary. I am almost thankful of the winter's rain that is upon us to break down the amount of poop on the walkways.
The fresh painted hand rails are a direct result of the storm a year back, which took months to rectify. A number of the bins have been removed and a number of the picnic tables have never been replaced. The sediment on the surface of the water is foul and the waters edge contains a large quantity of rubbish (plastic bottles, bags etc)
Prior to the new company contracted by council I saw most mornings the council crew cleaning, leaf blowing and tending the park. Many of the faces became familiar and a cheery good morning was meet with a smile.
I have yet to see any of the “new contractors” doing anything other than change the rubbish bin bags.
I hope this sends an early warning that our rates are not being spent on good use and certainly not as you seem to be told is happening.
I am very happy to stand toe to toe with whomever you refer to as auditor as I doubt they have any idea on what they are talking about.
Steve Hay, Western Springs
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