New park gives Norwood residents safe green space
26 October 2017
Criminals who have colonised City of Joburg parks have been warned: Residents are taking full ownership and won’t be friendly to the bad guys.
Speaking on Thursday at the official opening of the brand spanking new Short Road Park in Norwood in Region E, Chairperson of Section 79 Committee for Community Development Cllr Meshack van Wyk invited learners and residents to take full ownership of the R2 million facility.
“This is your park. Make sure criminals are not welcome here. It’s a safe space for toddlers, learners and their parents,” said Cllr Van Wyk.
Johannesburg City Parks and Zoo, responsible for creating liveable outdoor green spaces for its residents, unveiled the Short Road Park in Norwood, which measures about 1 hectare in size and forms part of the Greater Paterson Park Linear Precinct that runs close to the Louis Botha Rapid Bus Transit route.
City Parks is responsible for the maintenance of over 3 000 parks and open spaces across the City of Joburg’s seven regions.
This open space, a previously derelict and neglected space, prone to the scourge of illegal dumping, graffiti, occupied by displaced people and rife with alien invasive species, has been transformed to provide an eco-lung in the heart of the planned mixed-use residential development.
The park re-stitches the old with the new, and has retained the majestic canopy of established trees to complement the green carpet of lawn and colourful flowerbeds and playgrounds installed in the park. It boasts a free-to-use outdoor gym, strategically placed solar flood lights, stormwater-harvested irrigation channels, rubberised play areas and equipment especially designed to enhance the cognitive skills set of inquisitive and energetic toddlers.
The park will act as a catalyst to revive healthy living in Norwood. The stormwater from the main arterials leading into Norwood will be harvested and recycled to keep the park lush and green, particularly to address water scarcity in the city.
The colourful park includes benches, braai areas and picnic spots that will serve as sought-after meeting points for residents, businesses and the crèche adjacent to the facility. The project empowered work for 12 local beneficiaries during the construction phase.
Park safety is of paramount importance for City Parks and the Zoo, who are responsible for the maintenance of the facility, however it requires communities to become closely involved in weekly activations in parks to ensure Short Road Park is retained in a safe, clean and pristine condition and is resilient to negative external elements,” said MMC for Community Development Cllr Nonhlanhla Sifumba.
She added that the transformation of this previously undeveloped space into a haven for relaxation, fun and tranquility will bring residents together and will go a long way in building social harmony, ownership and a healthy community.