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May/June 2020 - Proposed Play Area and news about local contractors

10 June 2020
​Good Morning Civic Members
Thank you for your comments and suggestions, we will be communicating with the municipality in this regard and keep you updated to progress.
​Kind regards
Dane Shaw
Civics Chair

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5 June 2020​
Good Afternoon Civics Members,

I hope you are all well and coping as best you can during our country's lock down. With no doubt it has been tough on many…
 
We have done our best to carry on supporting the local contractors during this time, both the Miles family (keep the R330 road verge litter free) and Beauty (cleaning ablutions and beach front area) have received their normal contributions from Civics. We will look at further projects as soon as lock down is lifted to a point that work can be done, hoping this will be soon!
 
In the meantime, the Kouga municipality has received a portion of budget to be directed towards creating a play area for children in Cape St Francis (see images below).  Initially it was proposed that two play areas be built but after consultations with the Ward Councillor and Municipality representative it was decided that only one be built in Cape St Francis. The proposed drawings for the play area are attached and the proposed site is on the corner of Seal Point Boulevard and President Reitz Street. There is currently a small triangle of vegetation on the corner and our suggestion was to minimise removing vegetation along President Reitz and the gravel road cutting the corner and only open up from Seal Point Boulevard side. This would create a buffer between properties behind the proposed site and keep a green look and feel to the play park. Please see the google image attached for proposed site.
 
We are asking for any comments or suggestions with regards to the play area to be sent to us (CSFCivic@gmail.com) so that we can communicate any concerns with the Municipality.
 
Stay safe and keep well.
 
Kind regards
Dane Shaw
Civics Chair

Comments received:

• Why would they want to do that? There is a beautiful beach to play on
• I think it is a good spot.
• I think it should be located in the beach parking area which is more central and of course there is parking. It will also be close to the beach where the kids are more likely to use it.
• Ons en al die bure staan teen dit.  
• I would like to add a few points regarding the play area in CsF.
  During season and summer long weekends, the beachfront roads get choked with traffic. The triangle at the bottom of Pres Reitz should be cleared and made available for parking.
  There are better places to house a play pen. Near the tennis court is the obvious place to do it. There is more space available there.
  As far has having a play area in the village, I honestly think that it is not necessary. The children of CsF have the best play area on their front doorstep. We have the beach, the wild side as well as there own gardens. Rather donate the equipment to the community of Sea Vista, as they have a greater need for this type of entertainment, than we do.
  In concluding, I am against any form of play area. It will just end up a white elephant, as most of these projects do.
• To add - should our roads, signage trimmings etc be consistently addressed there could be an argument for a play centre but presently we are way behind with dealing with the quality of roads and verges.  Use that money to provide recreational facilities for children in Sea Vista and Informal residential areas - not CSF in our opinion.
  It is difficult to visualise how the proposed site can be secured so that children will not be vulnerable to traffic - will this triangle be fenced off with a gate entrance? What is the motivation for the play centre? Is it essentially for locals or visitors?  The maintenance of play centres is a major factor - a poorly maintained play centre can detract from the quality and attractiveness of our unique environment . So much care should be taken before going ahead with such a construction. We have the beach and rocks within 20 m of the proposed play area -so the motivation for the proposed play area is what should be communicated to residents.
• I am aware that the triangle was always discussed as an area for extra parking. The gravel/dirt road between the triangle and the house to the north west if I am not mistaken is a track that was created over time and not part of the official road system. With this in mind it would be a win win to move the playground closer to the wall of the house and create more parking on the southern side of the playground. The other option would simply to retain the suggested site and clear to allow parallel parking in the track.  
  Personally I think the Chrysanthemoides [Bitou] should be entirely removed and the site fully cleared except for the large Aloe thraskii. 
  While there is no endangered type flora or critically endangered flora in that area that I am aware of, some form of an EIA will be required given its proximity to the sea.
• We need more parking at the beachfront. The playground would be better located near the tennis courts. And why have a playground right on a beach ( a natural playground) and near the boulevard where kids play today.
• Thank you for the proposal regarding the play area. I think this is a wonderful idea and fully support it.  My thanks to the Committee for their commitment and had work especially during these difficult times. We realised again how fortunate we are to be able to be in lock down in such an amazing place.
• I, the owner of erf 8 Cape St Francis strongly oppose the establishment of a childrens play area in the beach area.
  The area is renown for its natural beauty, and appreciated for the lack of unnecessary development… local homeowners chose to invest in this area for that reason.
  Please respect the wishes of the majority of rate payers in this area and refrain from this unnecessary eyesore.
• I feel that the proposed position for the play park is inappropriate. This undeveloped piece of land adds to the charm of the Boulevard. The Da Gama carpark would be a better location and could tie in with the upgrading of that area. 
• We would like to strongly oppose the proposition for the following reasons:
   Cape St Francis is a pristine undeveloped beach and that is one of the huge attractions of living there.  It has remained undeveloped and pristine for years because of the communities strong resistance to any form of unnecessary development. A children’s play park in any part of Cape St Francis in unnecessary.  People bring their children to Cape St Francis to play on the beach and rocks and to swim!
  We feel that to erect a play area in this proposed spot is unsightly and will diminish the natural beauty of the beach area.
   The area proposed has a very high traffic density, especially during high season, and therefore is totally unsuitable for a children’s play area.
   If a playground has to be built, it is much better to build it near the public parking area adjacent to the ablution block and behind the sand dunes.  This will allow the children easy and safe access to and from the beach without having to cross any roads.  It will also not impact on the beauty of the CSF beachfront area at all.
   Surely it is better if they have the money to spend, to spend it on upgrading the disgusting ablution block near the car park.  As it is now, people come off the beach and approach private residences to use their facilities, because the ablutions are in such a state.  The children’s play area should be as close to the ablutions as possible.
   In summary, we oppose this development
  1. It is unnecessary
  2. It is unsightly
  3. It does not fit in with the ethos of CSF residence.
  4. Money can be better spent elsewhere.
   We are prepared to oppose this all the way, and hope that the Civic Association will support us in this endeavour.  We thank you for your support in advance.
  We would appreciate it if you could please keep us updated on developments. 
• I am against the suggested area being used for a play park for children.  In season it is a very busy spot and not safe for children who might run across the street. 
  I suggest that the triangle rather be used for parking and that the play park be made near the tennis court or on the wild side. 
• I have no objection and would suggest the road areas bordering the triangle be cleaned up and the short cut dirt road be fixed to ensure the whole change looks like a proper upgrade
• I would like to comment that this kind of ‘play area ‘ certainly will need to be maintained which I doubt will be effectively executed given the general state of disrepair on the promenade .
  Further the area is in a high traffic area .
  The grassed area in front of the car park and the beach has always served as the play area ‘
  Maintaining the grassed areas and the pole fence and pick nick benches will be much better served than incurring this play area expense .
• The following concerns  regarding a children play area Cape St Francis : 
  1)The triangle of natural vegetation is frequently under  siege for development – first a parking are and now a  children play area.
  There is little natural vegetation as it is and we should preserve it as best we can. Can this play area not been developed on the entrance to the main beach or on the back of the main beach?
  2)The streets surrounding that triangle are very busy especially during peak season and will pose a serious risk for children being run over as they have to cross these roads to the beach.
• Given the tardy  maintenance of the infrastructure on the boulevard, the inevitable neglect of the play equipment will pose a risk to children: 
  At present along the boulevard: the signage is decrepit, a surfboard bench and a concrete memorial bench are dilapidated and unusable, the wooden fencing requires
  repair.  Requests for the repair of leaks at the showers takes days for the Municipality to respond.
  The proposed site has long been identified for parking, for which the  need which is increasing even out of high season. 
  The area would also require a budget for fencing to prevent children from moving onto the roads, also to prevent   unwanted parking.
  The beach and boulevard surely provide sufficient play area for children. I would prefer that the Cape St Francis budget be added to that of Sea Vista where a safe play area is badly needed.
• Thanks for your email. I don't really have comments, just a question or two:
  Will the play area be fenced off from the road - just a gate obviously needs to be there;
  Will there be some shaded area (and seating) for Moms or Dads to sit while supervising their kids?
• - my first reaction is that the proposed area in your picture, is in a very dangerous location, probably one of the busiest intersections during the holiday seasons ....  I am just imagining little kids making a spontaneous dash across one of the roads to the play area without looking for cars, motorcycles & bicycles. Also it is not a very spacious area that will allow kids to run around, without heading into the road area.
   - I realise that it is a convenient little spot close to the car park, but it will probably be a "pain" for the homeowners directly across the street.... let's face it, kids like to make a noise when they play :-)   (Fortunately, my home is further away, where I can enjoy the peace and quiet.) 
   - personally, I feel that the beach/ocean itself is more than enough to keep kids busy (and happy) .... in and out of season. 
   - however, if local parents feel the need for a play park area for their small kids, how about the following options which I identified from a quick look at GoogleMaps (see attached). My preference would be the one close to the car park nearer the lighthouse, which is (i) safer than the proposed site, but (ii) still conveniently located and (iii) less disruptive for the nearby home owners, and you have larger area to work with. 

• We would like to lodge a protest against the erection of a playground on the triangular public space at the corner of President Reitz and Seal Point Boulevard  
  There are a number of reasons why the site is not fit for a playground:
  1.              It is not centralized.  It seems to me that a kiddies play area should be central so all kids can easily participate.
  2.              Why put a play park next to the entrance to a beach area, which is specifically set aside for kids and their families for playing and swimming? Do they really need another distraction in the same place!
  3.              Parking is already an issue during peak times – this worsens it.
  4.              Ecologically that triangle contains native flora which will have to be uprooted and destroyed.  No doubt there are many animals, reptiles, snakes, birds, that make that triangle their home.
  5.              We kindly refer you to the following activity in the NEMA Listing Notice 3 regarding development close to a watercourse, which may not commence without an environmental authorisation from the competent authority:
  Activity 14:
  The development of
  ii) infrastructure or structures with a physical footprint of 10 square metres or more; where such development occurs--
  (a) within a watercourse;
  (b) in front of a development setback; or
  (c) if no development setback has been adopted, within 32 metres of a watercourse, measured from the edge of a watercourse;
   6.              Having a semi enclosed area on the triangle is an invitation for people to overnight illegally.  
  7.              Even having a buffer zone around the playground, noise will carry to the houses surrounding the area, which will destroy the peace and quiet which has been so characteristic of Cape St Francis.
  Our recommendation will be to find a more central area and / or an area not located in between houses.  You already have an open parking area to the west of the beach which has accessible parking which would be an ideal spot or close to the tennis courts.
• I would like to lodge my objection to the proposed children's playground planned for President Reitz street.
  There are several reasons for my objection. 
  Foremost is the current lack of resources to maintain the area to and to keep it clean and litter free.  The dust bins are seldom emptied, especially in high season.  The dust bins on the beach are often emptied by the wind before they are cleaned.  
  Adding a play ground, adds unnecessary stress to a struggling infrastructure.  Positioned so close to the sea, it would require constant maintenance to rusting nuts and bolts; which left unmaintained add the health risk of tetanus.
  Currently the covid-19 issue has presented a new set of challenges and most parks and play grounds around the country are currently on lock down for safety reasons.
  Covid-19 aside, Cape St Francis does not have a large population of kids which would benefit from such a facility and it would be a far better investment closer to areas where many kids reside on a regular basis.  
  In addition, the costs saved on maintenance, by constructing the playground further inland, make it a far more viable option.
  We regret to object to such a wonderful proposition but it would be better suited to have a different location for the reasons mentioned above.
• I second the notion that the Beach Car Park would be a much more suitable location.
• We are not in favor of any play park for children being established in Cape St Francis. 
  Suggestions to establish a park anywhere near the beach or beach ablutions makes no sense at all when there is already plenty of space on the beach for children to play.
  Apart from the obvious issues such as aesthetics, maintenance, safety, parking, attraction of party goers over weekends, etc, rather use our scarce financial resources to maintain roads, signage and our beautiful nature areas.
• My concern is;
  1...the traffic, as young children just run and    
       don't look. Accident waiting to happen. 
  2...do kids need this and I think NO.
  3...they come to the beach, a park you find in 
       cities where the beach is some distance
       away.Watersports, rockpools, sandcastles 
       fishing etc etc.
  I think a waste of funds better spent elsewhere.
• I think it is a lovely idea    to have playground for our little inhabitants. What about a slide. Also for safety could one have a wooden fence around so that the little ones are safe.
   Also something for shade that they do not burn too much.
• ​There are several bigger and safer areas for a play area.
  The number of vehicles especially in season will be an issue. The safety of children especially preschool  ones will be seriously compromised.
• Im opposed to playground at proposed area.
  The BEACH is all children’s best playground which is only a few meters from the site.
  The site’s position could be dangerous to kids playing in an area with high traffic volume specifically during peak holiday period.
  Children running from the site, without looking out for traffic, could pose a risk in busy periods.
  Area could be better used for a more friendly parking area , but not the whole triangle in my opinion.
  A site at tennis courts  or main beach parking a better option , in my view.
  Im also concerned about the upkeep of such an area. 
• Excellent idea
• Use that triangle for more parking space. Donate the play equipment to Sea Vista kids
• With regards to the proposed play area in Cape St Francis, we feel that the money can be put to better use by making a car park on the proposed site.
• I think it is a recipe for disaster… have you seen what that area looks like during peak season?  People could not care less where they park and being on the lookout for children accessing and leaving the play area will not be very high on their list of priorities.  I urge you to please reconsider as the proposed area is not suitable for a children’s play area. 
  Also, who is going to maintain the area during off-peak? 
  In short, a play area is unnecessary as people bring their kids to the beach to swim and… play on the beach! 
• Please don’t put a play area on the proposed site. 
  Children have the beach. Best play area ever. 
  Dangerous - busy intersection. 
  Who will maintain it?
  Not fair to neighboring houses. 
  Rather maintain our roads  or Sea Vista’s roads and rubbish removal. 
  Sea Vista’s children would benefit far more from a play area like the proposed one. 
•  I would like to lodge our objection to proposed development on the following grounds: 
   1)      CSF has an older population and we do not foresee that a playpark will serve its ratepayers well, we do not want a playground anywhere in CSF, we have one of the most beautiful beaches in the world which provides sufficient entertainment:   fish in pools, walk, swim, surf, fly kites, run, cycle, build sand castles, dig to your hearts content,  the list just goes on and on…………
  2)      A playpark so close to the sea will necessitate constant maintenance as all homeowners in CSF will confirm,
  3)      A potential spot for loitering, littering and unacceptable noise levels after sunset,
  4)      Health Risk:  I foresee another gathering place for all of CSF free roaming dogs to gather, fight, pee & poop,
  5)      Health Risk:  I think we can accept that high risk viruses and the potential spread thereof going to be reality that we will have to live with for a long time to come, a playpark and all the surfaces then become a high risk area
  6)      Traffic Risk:  this remains the greatest concern for all small children over peak season times. 
   Please keep CSF CLEAN, GREEN & SIMPLE, these are the reasons we bought here.  Please use available funds to maintain existing infrastructure, both public toilet facilities come to mind.  Replacing & increasing of public dustbins would also serve CSF well, I often see bins overflowing during peak season times.
• We support the creating of a playarea. That will be very nice for the kids of Cape st F.
  Perhaps they can add one more swing. – 4 swings -rubber.
• Best of luck with all your projects, no concerns from our side.
  
• I think that is an Ideal spot, It is close to the beach and ablution facilities, communal playing areas are important for kids.
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