Community outraged by closure of public sports field in Van Riebeeck Park

Irate dog owners and regular walkers in Van Riebeeck Park say they are “blindsided” and angry after a public notice announced that the Herzlia sports grounds will be closed to the general public from March 1, following damage caused by pooches.

The notice, issued by the City of Cape Town on February 5, states that the closure follows a review of the lease agreement between the City and Herzlia High School, which leases the facility.

City of Cape Town's Recreation and Parks Department provided Cape Argus with a copy of the report following a public notice issued on February, which stated the general public closure of Herzlia Sports Ground will take place on March 1, 2026.

The reasons for the closure include:dogs digging holes on the sports fields, which poses safety risks to athletes, and dogs defecating on the playing surface with owners not consistently cleaning up. There is also damage to irrigation infrastructure, which the lessee must cover, and safety concerns for school staff who fear being attacked or bitten by dogs. Additionally, there are ongoing incidents of unauthorised use of the sports ground.

United Herzlia Schools, the lessee, has raised concerns that certain lease conditions create operational burdens, financial strains, and liability risks. The report submitted to the relevant Subcouncil proposes removing three key clauses that restrict management of the sports grounds and contribute to mismanagement:

• Clause vii: “Full public access when the field is not used for sporting purposes by Lessee”
• Clause x: “Grass Boots FC to use the fields during their season on Saturdays from 01 March until 30 September”
• Clause xi: “Grass Boots FC to use the field twice in the evenings from 17h15 to 18h30”

The report also states that the current requirement for unrestricted public access has led to significant issues, primarily uncontrolled dog activity, resulting in damage and safety risks for children and staff."

Citing repeated damage allegedly caused by dogs, the City lists safety risks to athletes from holes dug in the fields, dog faeces left on the playing surface, and damage to irrigation infrastructure. It also references safety concerns from school staff and “ongoing incidents of unauthorised use”.

But residents say the grounds have been used by the community for years and argue that a blanket closure punishes responsible dog owners.

Taking to Instagram, resident ziri_and_lella said: "Our favourite local field to safely walk is being closed to the public despite being on public land (and leased to a private school at less than R1000 per year!). Please help us prevent the removal of this safe green space from public access and voice your objections to this decision.

In the notice, members of the public are directed to use the adjacent park area for recreation, including dog walking. However, some residents argue that the remaining space is inadequate and that the sports field has effectively functioned as shared public land.

The City maintains that the move is aimed at ensuring safety, sustainability and proper management of the sports facility, which is leased to the school.

The closure takes effect on March 1.

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Cape Argus