Not long ago, the corner of Leslie Avenue West and Westway Road was defined by chaos rather than colour.

Used as an illegal taxi rank and informal parking area, the verge was littered, unsafe, and routinely abused by motorists. Today, that same corner is alive with greenery, order, and pride, standing as a clear example of what determined residents can achieve when they take ownership of their neighbourhood.

Read more: Fourways taxi operators stranded

The barrier gardens, established in 2024, were spearheaded by Douglasdale Business and Residents Forum (DBRF) chairperson Susan Mottram in response to growing concerns around illegal parking, congestion, and deteriorating conditions along the busy road reserve. “At one point, the verge was effectively being used as a parkade. There were taxis parking there illegally, and then one day we had close to 50 Ubers lined up. We were extremely concerned about where that situation could lead.”

She explained that the illegal use of the pavement resulted in severe environmental degradation. “The area was filthy. There was human waste, broken glass bottles, food packaging, and litter everywhere. It was unsafe and unpleasant for everyone who lived or travelled through the area.”

The problem was compounded during peak traffic hours, when motorists would drive onto the grassed road reserve to bypass congestion, cutting across the verge and forcing their way back into traffic further ahead. “To stop that, I installed wooden poles across the field, which prevented drivers from turning the verge into an extra traffic lane. From there, we established the barrier garden, which has successfully stopped large-scale parking and significantly uplifted the space.”

Also read: Taxi rank safety issues voiced

With the help of fellow community member Saskia Koneka, the DBRF mobilised public support, securing donations of money, plants, compost, and rocks. Mottram personally funded the wooden poles, while residents volunteered their time to plant and establish the gardens. “This kind of project simply can’t happen without people coming together and being willing to give their time, energy, and money. It’s been wonderful to see residents take ownership of their neighbourhood.”

However, Mottram stressed that long-term maintenance remains the biggest challenge. The DBRF, which she has co-run with Ruth Fleming since 2008, currently has only eight regular sponsors. “That’s over 17 years of work in a massive community, with just eight people contributing monthly. We don’t need huge donations. If many residents contributed R50 a month, we could clean and maintain the entire length of Leslie Avenue.

“Our vision is to create a cleaner, safer environment, but we want to do more than uplift one or two corners. With more hands and more support, we can extend our reach and make an even greater impact across Douglasdale.”

Residents and businesses who wish to get involved, volunteer, or make monthly contributions can contact Mottram at susanm@remax-masters.co.za or 082 465 8718.

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