Creating a green space for Beverley
BEVERLEY – A grueling one-year battle to turn a vacant plot of land on Mulbarton Drive into a community-centred park recently paid off after the Lonehill Residents Association got the go-ahead to turn the unused area into a much-needed park.
David Foley, environmental director of the Lonehill Residents Association (LRA) said, “The LRA is absolutely delighted to advise our community that Johannesburg City Parks, in conjunction with the Joburg Property Company (JPC) management, have agreed to reserve this portion of land for future park development.”
Foley excitedly explained that the association would submit a detailed plan for the area to Johannesburg City Parks and JPC for approval.
Johan Jansen van Vuuren, regional manager of Regions A and F Social Property Management for the City of Joburg Property Company said, “The properties will not be placed out on public tender by JPC Property Management for park development.”
Jansen van Vuuren explained that Johannesburg City Parks had an internal mechanism where the residents of Beverley could submit their proposal and, if approved by Johannesburg City Parks, it would become a partnership with Johannesburg City Parks.
Despite the slow progress, Foley was certain that the park would be completed in the next six months, provided that everything was approved.
Foley urged Beverley residents to partner up with the LRA in order to transform the vacant land into a park every resident would enjoy.
“We are calling on any professional landscaper to assist the association on a volunteer basis to develop a design for the new community park.
“This would need to include all aspects involved in developing a park and would include layout, plants list and water run-off plans,” Foley said.
Although nothing was solid yet, Foley explained that the aim was to make the park look pretty, especially since the area was surrounded with so much concrete. However, one of the plans was to get the community involved in planting trees and possibly building a bicycle trail and put in benches.
Foley explained that the park would be using funds from the environment fund and residents’ contributions.
Details: www.facebook.com/lonehillresidentsassociation
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