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IN response to William Smith’s letter “Rundown park no pleasure” (Weekend Post, November 23), SANParks assures Mr Smith and other concerned visitors that the management of Addo Elephant National Park takes note of all the concerns raised.

SANParks also assures all visitors that the park is certainly not in a “rundown” state.

There have been many recent developments and improvements in Addo Elephant National Park within the past year, including the opening of a new picnic site with modern toilet facilities in the game area, the addition of five new cottages in Addo Main Camp, the construction of a new Interpretive Centre (to be opened early next year) and construction of a new main entrance gate.

All accommodation units in Addo Main Camp are being renovated. New roads have been constructed in the Colchester section and large game introduction has begun. Both processes involve the allocation of significant funds. The tourism roads in the main game viewing area have recently been upgraded. Millions are spent annually on Coast Care projects, alien vegetation clearing and poverty relief programmes. More than R9-million a year is spent on conservation initiatives alone.

Due to construction in the main camp area, there has been some accumulation of debris on occasion. Park staff have made a concerted effort to keep this debris to a minimum.

The Spekboom Hide toilets have now been closed, due to problems with maintenance and the proximity of better toilet facilities at the new picnic site where an attendant is on duty all day.

An electric gate was recently installed at the new picnic site for visitor safety, ensuring that large animals could not enter. Since a few visitors did not seem to know how to activate the gate by driving onto the metal plate, a push button for opening has been installed. The new building in the picnic area is earmarked for a kiosk, but is vacant because SANParks is engaging the national Treasury regarding small concession opportunities.

The new game viewing roads in the Colchester section (Camp Matyholweni) were opened three weeks ago. All signage is in place. Signage is only erected once road construction is complete and ready for use by visitors. These roads are not yet shown on the park’s visitors’ map.

Smith’s report of a number of birds killed by flying into windows of the Interpretive Centre is a matter of concern, as SANParks’s core function is the conservation of biodiversity. The building was designed to maximise the use of natural light. Park management will investigate methods of addressing this problem.

The curio shop in the park stocks a range of products, including “proudly South African” products, and is committed to supporting and selling any local products of a high standard. The shop’s high income figures reflect that its products have proved popular with local and international visitors.

Visitors can use an SMS system to rate the park restaurant and report any complaints. The SANParks development unit, which monitors this feedback, reports a significant increase in customer satisfaction over the last six months. The park also issues a customer feedback form to all visitors staying in the park. Statistics here also show that compliments about the restaurant have increased significantly.

We do receive specific and valid complaints about the restaurant on occasion. These are dealt with immediately by restaurant management.

We again urge visitors to report and discuss any concerns they may have with park management when they are in the park or as soon as possible, so that matters can be addressed speedily.

We are committed to addressing any concerns and complaints raised about maintenance or service in Addo Elephant National Park, in line with our commitment to excellent service levels and the SANParks vision that national parks will be the pride and joy of all South Africans and of the world. Addo Elephant National Park is a key tourism destination of which the management and staff are proud.