Lakeside pond undergoes a sustainable facelift
The project will be completed by end of January and will be regularly serviced
The ‘Lakeside Pond’ in Farrarmere was a hub of activity on January 22 as Pam Golding Boksburg/Benoni started its rejuvenation project at this well-known landmark.
With help of residents and other stakeholders, staff gathered at the corner of Southy Street and Main Road to kick off the first phase of the project, which saw the defunct pond and fountain being drained.
“This area has been eyesore for some time. The corner is overgrown and the pump house has become the target of vandalism,” said Courtney Templemore-Walters, member of the Pam Golding team and project coordinator.
“Following consultation with the Ekurhuleni Metro, we have been granted permission to adopt the space and have committed ourselves to its rejuvenation and upkeep.
“This is one of the many projects we have undertaken to beautify our suburbs.”
Along with representatives of Hammond Pole Attorneys and Garden Boys, the overgrown corner was cut and now resembles a perfectly manicured park.
“The objective for the day is to get rid of the overgrowth and weeds,” Templemore-Walters said.
“The pump house has been decommissioned and the doors welded shut, in order to prevent vagrants gaining access to it.”
Drainage holes were created in the cement of the existing pond, which will soon be transformed into a water-wise garden boasting indigenous plants.
According to Nolan Pillay, a Farrarmere resident for the past 14 years, it is important that business and community join hands in order to ensure that public spaces are well-maintained and appeal to the aesthetics of the suburb.
“For residents to act like ‘keyboard warriors’, pointing out every failure of the metro, is not turning things around,” said Pillay.
“If we want to live in an area that we are proud of, we need to partner with businesses willing to make a sustainable difference.”
Get involved
Planting at this environmentally friendly oasis is set to take place on January 28 from 09:00 and members of the community are invited to join in.
It is hoped that a variety of plants that are frost-hardy and require low water usage will from part of the garden.
“We hope that the garden will encourage bird and insects to nest in the area, thus further contributing to the ecosystem,” said Templemore-Walters.
“Residents are welcome to bring their own flora contribution to add to the garden.”
ALSO READ: Clean-up brings community together in Western Extension
ALSO READ: Community gathers to clean Homestead Dam pathway
