Residents urged to obey park safety bylaws on Heritage Day

21 September 2017

 

If you are thinking of drinking yourself silly on 24 September, Heritage Day, you better stay away from any of the City of Johannesburg’s parks.

 

On the eve of the long weekend to mark national Heritage Day celebrations, Johannesburg City Parks and Zoo, which looks after the City’s 2 343 parks, is warning residents to play by the rules when visiting parks.

Member of the Mayoral Committee for Community Development in the City of Joburg Councillor Nonhlanhla Sifumba, who is the political head of City Parks and Zoo, has appealed to residents to refrain from setting fires in non-designated spaces in parks; disposing of charcoal on the lawn or against a tree; consuming alcohol; using glass utensils, playing loud music and littering in parks.

“Heritage Day weekend sees hundreds of people descend on parks to host braais with friends and relatives and while it is wonderful to see so many people enjoying the City’s public open spaces, it is also worrying of the high number of complaints regarding illegal fires, broken bottles and the illegal consumption of alcohol in parks,” says MMC Sifumba.

Parks and green lungs play a critical role in significantly improving the wellbeing of people living in fast-paced cities. Green spaces reduce daily stresses and the presence of trees, water, grass, birdlife and natural surroundings, brings calmness to those who frequent outdoor spaces.

The City’s parks are critical in creating sustainable, liveable and vibrant cities which lead to the formation of social circles which are the foundation for strong, secure neighbourhoods where people are drawn to supporting, caring and protecting one another.

“Residents are urged to obey all park safety bylaws and to report transgressions to the Joburg Emergency Call Centre on 011 375-5911,” advises Cllr Sifumba.

The Joburg Metropolitan Police Department will patrol parks together with the Park Rangers, and will confiscate alcohol consumed in the City’s parks.

“Park Safety bylaws are in place for your protection as well as to ensure that all visitors enjoy a pleasant and memorable experience on Heritage Day,” says MMC Sifumba.