Why is the City of Cape Town closing the Van Riebeeck Park sports field?
Dog owners in Van Riebeeck Park rally against the City of Cape Town's decision to close the Herzlia sports grounds to the public.
Image: File
Residents and dog owners in Van Riebeeck Park are raising concerns regarding the announced closure of the Herzlia sports grounds to the general public, effective March 1, 2026.
The community argues that this closure breaches the existing lease agreement, which stipulates full public access, and unnecessarily removes access to a vital local amenity.
The City of Cape Town, which leases the land to United Herzlia Schools, cited repeated damage caused by dogs such as digging holes, defecating, and damaging irrigation infrastructure as well as safety concerns for school staff and athletes.
Residents argue that this closure breaches the existing lease agreement's clause for "full public access when the field is not used for sporting purposes" and violates a recent Subcouncil deferral resolution regarding amendments to the lease.
They contend that a blanket closure unfairly punishes responsible dog owners and removes vital community green space.
The City maintains that the adjacent park provides a suitable alternative for public recreation.
Brent Moore, resident on behalf of the community, formally objected to the closure, describing it as an unauthorized enforcement of a deferred proposal and a material breach of the lease.
"With the COCT densification drive, it becomes increasingly important that we reaffirm and protect access to our public open spaces for the continued benefit of all its residents,: he said. This field is a place of leisure that continues to be enjoyed by the young and elderly alike. To remove access is to remove the rights of COCT residents and ratepayers."
He demanded the immediate removal of restrictive signage and compliance with the Subcouncil's order for a formal public participation process before any lease amendment is made.
The school, as the lessee, has expressed concerns that unrestricted public access has led to uncontrolled dog activity, which has increased maintenance costs and compromised the integrity of the sports facilities. The City's Recreation and Parks Department supports the removal of the public access clause to alleviate operational burdens and ensure the facility's primary function as a safe sports ground is preserved.
The original 10-year lease, approved for an annual rental of R920 (excluding VAT), was intended to relieve the Council of maintenance responsibilities. However, residents argue that the grounds have been used by the community for years, and a closure would significantly impact their access to green space.
In a letter of objection shared by Moore with the City last week, he stated that it is evident the lease agreement is being breached. He highlighted that the current restriction contradicts the standing lease agreement and violates a recent Subcouncil resolution. Moore pointed out that any notice restricting access or characterising the public open space as "private property" is a material breach of the lease and a failure of oversight by the City of Cape Town as the lessor.
Moore also raised concerns about the administrative fairness of the decision, stating that the removal of historical public access rights constitutes an administrative action that adversely affects the rights of the public. He emphasised that the City is required to conduct a fair public participation process before implementing such changes.
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 response to the public notice, the City's Recreation and Parks Department stated that the current obligation to allow unrestricted public access has led to significant issues, primarily uncontrolled dog activity on the fields, resulting in safety risks for children and staff.
Public notice on the gates to the sports field.
Image: Supplied
The City said via a report that this has increased the maintenance burden on the school and compromised the integrity of the sports facilities. The nearby Van Riebeeck Park is suggested as a suitable alternative for public recreation, making the presence of dogs and informal sports on school grounds unnecessary, it stated.
The lessee has also pointed out that while they have allowed public use of the ablution facilities, the uncontrolled activities on the grounds have rendered them unsafe and unsuitable for their primary purpose—sporting activities. Their request is rooted in a desire for control rather than exclusion; they seek to maintain the sports fields’ intended function while ensuring reasonable public access to facilities.
Another key issue raised pertains to the usage of the facility by Grass Boots FC, which has resulted in overuse of the fields. The cumulative practice sessions and matches hosted by both the football club and the school place undue strain on the grounds without providing necessary rest periods for recuperation and maintenance. The lessee believes it is time for the club to transition to their new facility.
The City said it supports this request for clause removal, the anticipation is for the Subcouncil to take a firm stance in favour of changes that will lead to better management of the sports grounds. The proposed amendments promise to alleviate the operational burden while ensuring the primary function of the facility as a safe and well-maintained sports ground is preserved.