Residents unite to protect Bokkie Park, Libradene Vlei

The Friends of the Bokkie Park and Libradene Vlei (FOBP&LV) was established on October 17 as a project of the Wildlife and Environment Society of South Africa (WESSA) Boksburg branch.

About 15 residents, mainly regular park visitors, attended the inaugural meeting in the Girl Guide hall on Southvale Road, along with a representative from the City of Ekurhuleni (CoE) Parks Department.

According to Talfryn Harris, chairperson of WESSA Boksburg, the organisation is already a registered NPO with PBO status, financial oversight, and governance, which helps projects like this gain traction and make a difference where needed.

For newly appointed FOBP&LV coordinator Dale de Oliveira, the initiative represents another step toward a vision she has been developing over the past six years.

“The proposal was never simply about cleaning up or maintaining the Bokkie Park. It was about creating a vibrant, safe and sustainable community destination where families could spend quality time together, schools could bring learners to experience practical education in agriculture and nature, and local businesses and entrepreneurs could benefit from new opportunities,” she explained.

Her original proposal was structured into four phases, beginning with cleaning up the park and restoring existing equipment and infrastructure. The longer-term plans include an educational centre, vegetable and fruit gardens, agricultural activities, restaurants, farmers’ and craft markets, and recreational facilities for families.

“Our long-term objective is to develop a self-sustaining park through partnerships with businesses, schools and the community, without relying on ongoing municipal funding but keeping the property under their ownership.”

Six years of planning and community action

De Oliveira said she had met with various municipal department heads over the years to present proposals aimed at bringing the municipality, local businesses, and the community together.

“While there has been enthusiasm during these engagements, the challenge has been converting this into sustained commitment, practical support and implementation.

“Unfortunately, the broader rehabilitation project has not progressed as originally envisioned,” she said.

Community initiatives, however, have demonstrated what can be achieved.

“Initiatives, including clean-up days and Mandela Day activities, demonstrated what can be achieved when people come together and contribute their time and energy towards improving a shared community space,” De Oliveira said.

The group also hosted a Spring Day event featuring a display by the SAPS equestrian unit, participation from emergency services, a National Sea Rescue Institute (NSRI) water safety display at the dam, an educational talk on snakes, and a performance by the Benoni High Pipe Band.

“It was an opportunity to showcase the park’s potential as a place for education, recreation and community engagement,” De Oliveira said.

The group also restored the plumbing and electrical infrastructure in the large lapa, intending to make it available as a venue.
However, vandalism has since occurred again.

“This highlights one of the ongoing challenges: improvements are difficult to sustain when security resources on the premises are limited.

“Individual projects and once-off events cannot deliver the full rehabilitation vision without ongoing collaboration, adequate support and a shared commitment to maintaining what has been achieved.”

Animal welfare concerns

The inaugural meeting also highlighted the need for greater awareness and education about animal welfare.

One regular park visitor, who asked not to be named, said she saw children harming a hen’s chicks while their parents stood nearby.

Another resident described an incident in which a security guard stopped a woman from leaving the park with a goose.

Apparently, the woman said she wanted to buy the goose but was told she would have to wait for an auction day, so she put the bird down and left.

De Oliveira said the proposed educational centre could help address these concerns.

“We want to create opportunities for children to learn about animals, birds and the environment, and to understand why it is important to treat them with respect.”

The meeting also heard that while funding was available to care for the farm animals, building maintenance remained a challenge.

The CoE’s budget does not cover the care of wild animals, such as Egyptian geese, prompting WESSA’s involvement in the initiative.

De Oliveira said WESSA’s support would also help strengthen plans to develop an eco-park on the adjacent Libradene Vlei.

Other concerns raised included alcohol consumption at the park, better by-law enforcement/policing by SAPS and EMPD, and training volunteers as park wardens through a peace officer course.

Sustainable park for the future

The municipality is currently reviewing the broader rehabilitation proposal.

CoE Parks Department representative Jaco Burger attended the meeting, where the municipality’s role in the park’s management and the need for community cooperation were discussed.

De Oliveira said the original proposal was built on the principle that the park could be rehabilitated through collaboration.

“The intention was never simply to ask the municipality to fund everything, but to establish a partnership in which everyone could play a role in creating a sustainable future for the park.

“Businesses could contribute funding, materials or expertise; schools could participate in educational and rehabilitation activities; community members could volunteer their time; and other stakeholders could contribute according to their capabilities,” she said.

Residents believe a Memorandum of Agreement or public-private partnership could help secure support for the project while clarifying who would be responsible for maintaining facilities once improvements had been made.

Libradene Vlei

The FOBP&LV hope to extend their efforts to Libradene Vlei, where plans for an eco-park with cycling and hiking trails remain dependent on clarification of land ownership and boundaries.

According to Harris, the vlei provides habitat for a rare frog species and serves as a breeding site for threatened birds.

Current environmental concerns include illegal dumping, invasive alien vegetation and the need for regular monitoring to prevent squatting from recurring.

Harris also highlighted the importance of protecting established trees, warning that their removal could affect property values.

De Oliveira said they aim to develop an eco-park adjacent to the vlei, where people can enjoy the natural environment while helping to protect it.

“Through Friends of the Bokkie Park and Libradene Vlei, we want to encourage a more coordinated community effort to rehabilitate and enhance Bokkie Park and extend those efforts to the neighbouring vlei,” he said.

WESSA celebrates its centenary this year, and Harris said the Boksburg branch fully supports the FOBP&LV’s plans.

“Our involvement is intended to strengthen environmental conservation efforts, particularly where municipal resources do not extend to the care of wild animals,” he said.

De Oliveira said establishing Friends of Bokkie Park and Libradene Vlei created another opportunity to bring the right people together.

“After six years, the greatest challenge is no longer a lack of ideas or a vision for what Bokkie Park could become. It is finding the right partners who are willing to move beyond initial interest and work together to turn that vision into reality.

“We remain committed to the vision and hopeful that, by bringing the right people together and turning goodwill into meaningful action, we can begin to realise the park’s potential,” he said.

He said the ultimate aim was to create a space that could benefit the community for generations.

“Bokkie Park can be more than it is today. With sustained commitment, collaboration and community participation, it has the potential to become a treasured destination for families, an outdoor classroom for learners, a source of opportunity for local entrepreneurs and a natural environment that future generations can enjoy and protect,” De Oliveira said.

Residents who would like to contribute to ongoing WESSA volunteer clean-up efforts can contact Clifford Van Lelyveld on 083 703 1046.

For more information about the Friends of Bokkie Park and Libradene Vlei initiative, contact coordinator Dale De Oliveira on 071 290 4893.

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