Recent rainfall causes growth bursts in green spaces across the city.
City Parks has embarked on a blitz to tackle the overgrowth of shrubs, grass, and other greenery brought on by rainfall and warm weather.
Grass in public parks and other city spaces, such as traffic islands and pavements, has grown tremendously in recent weeks due to much-needed rain. This leads to these areas no longer being pleasant to walk through, or enjoy for a weekend picnic or other recreational activity.
The Johannesburg City Parks and Zoo (JCPZ) regional teams have embarked on a ‘mega blitz cleanup’ operation across the city. The operation will run until May.
Read more: Johannesburg City Parks urges families to visit loved ones graves
“The seasonal rains and warm weather increase overgrowth. We plan to work systematically to address horticultural concerns,” says spokesperson for JCPZ Jenny Moodley.
They are also calling on residents to please: ‘Manage the sidewalks surrounding their homes’, due to the limited resources available to tackle this issue during the peak season.
Grass between graves is also the responsibility of JCPZ to maintain. The heavy rainfall in recent weeks has also posed a problem for some graves.
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“Heavy rain in recent weeks has caused some flooding, grave subsidence, and collapsed headstones in various cemeteries across Johannesburg including Westpark Cemetery in Emmarentia.”
Moodley says that while families are responsible for the upkeep of graves, reinstatement of fallen headstones, and safeguarding of gravesites, JCPZ recognises the emotional importance of: ‘Maintaining the integrity of these final resting places’.
“We will strive to address concerns promptly and with the utmost care and respect. Your co-operation in inspecting the gravesites is essential in helping us maintain the beauty and dignity of the gravesite of your loved one.”
Residents can help by:
• Visiting the cemetery.
• Identifying and reporting erosion, caving-in of graves, and collapsed headstones and tombstones.
• Contacting the manager of Cemeteries and Crematoria, Zolile Mpophoma, on 011 712 6600, or by sending an email to: zmpophoma@jhbcityparks.com.
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