Failed footbridge a symbol of park’s neglect, say residents
A concrete footbridge over a small canal next to the Emerald Way Park in Summer Greens broke less than a year after it was built, according to residents who say it’s emblematic of general neglect at the park.
The City built the bridge towards the end of last year to replace a temporary one made of wooden boards, says resident Joseph Brink.
“To show how derelict this place has really become over the years, that cement bridge lasted only a few months.”
The Emerald Way Park has been dogged by flooding, vandalism and sewer spills over the years (“Sewage spills make park a no-go area,” Tabletalk, December 19, 2023).
Dylan Koen said he had been walking with his two boys towards the park late last month when he realised the concrete bridge had collapsed.
“My boys are still small so I was able to carry them in my arms and carefully slip across. My issue was that there are many kids who use that area on a daily basis. And when you think about it, it was during school holidays when all this happened. People’s kids could have been seriously hurt during all of this,” he said.
On Monday, City staff could be seen at the park replacing the broken concrete bridge with one made of wooden boards, but residents suspect it won’t last long.
The City did not respond by time of publication to questions sent on Monday morning.
