Oriel Park in Bedfordview gets spring facelift with restored gum pole fence
Bedfordview’s Oriel Park has received a fresh look this spring, thanks to Better Bedfordview’s community-led initiative to repair and restore its iconic gum pole fence, boosting local pride and park charm.
Bedfordview’s much-loved Oriel Park has received a fresh facelift this spring, thanks to a recent Better Bedfordview project to refurbish its iconic gum pole fence.
The community clean-up NPO, which maintains Oriel Park by keeping it litter-free with neatly mown grass and trimmed greenery, decided it was time to restore the ageing fence. This is according to chairperson Marina Constas.
“The fence, which had stood for many years without maintenance, had become weathered and worn, no longer matching the renewed beauty of the park itself.
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“As part of Better Bedfordview’s ongoing efforts to uplift public spaces and strengthen community pride, the team launched an initiative to repair and restore the fence, returning it to its former charm,” Constas explained.
Resident and dedicated volunteer Bengt Johannson was the driving force behind the project.
He conducted a detailed costing exercise for the necessary materials, after which a call for support was shared with residents in the Oriel Park enclosure.
The appeal sparked strong interest from the community, with many offering donations, tools and their time.
Thanks to this momentum, and with generous support from the Bedfordview Hotel on Van Der Linde Road, the project came to life.
The hotel covered the full cost of materials and treated the Better Bedfordview team to lunch during one of the workdays, a true demonstration of community partnership.
Johannson also offered his personal workshop and tools to prepare the poles, working side by side with the Better Bedfordview team to complete the installation.
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“We’re grateful to everyone who contributed in any way,” said Constas.
“Community improvement is a collective effort, and every bit of help, big or small, brings us closer to our mission to make Bedfordview a great place to live, work, do business, shop, go to school, exercise and socialise.”
For more information about Better Bedfordview NPO and how to donate towards their community work, visit www.betterbedfordview.org.za or email info@betterbedfordview.org.za.
