Parys Multisport will host their club time trial tomorrow (4 December) in the Parys Wetland area using the new 5km trail.

Walk, jog, run  – bring the family and friends and become a ‘Vleilander’ for the afternoon. This is a great oppotunity to get in on the action to have a greater appreciation for the beauty of this natural treasure.

The trial run starts at 17:00 with the start and finish on the corner of End Street and Vierde Laan.

Rehabilitation of the Parys Wetland area

An initiative to rehabilitate the neglected natural wetland area in the center of Parys, to transform the underutilized area into a sustainable wetland ecosystem that will be accessible and safe for all communities, is underway, and the first phase of the project is anticipated to be completed within the next three years.

The wetland offers enormous tourism potential with cross-country and cycling routes being developed here, and will also be used by schools as a conservation and educational site.

The wetland area stretches from Tumahole down to the bottom of the Mimosa Gardens, and starts at a natural fountain behind the Viva Filling Station in Parys’ industrial area, says Leida Schuman, one of the volunteers involved in the project. She explains that the wetland is also a main pedestrian route for people walking daily between Tumahole, Schonkenville and Parys. It connects schools, the industrial area of ​​Parys and residential areas.

What is planned for the Parys Wetland:

* A safe, clean and beautiful pedestrian route for workers, scholars and people who like to walk for exercise / time in nature

* An area where all schools can participate in cross-country and mountain biking events

* Improvement in biodiversity of the environment

* Job creation by obtaining funds for the cleaning, development and maintenance of the area, and organizing recycling initiatives through the existing network of those who make a living of recycling

* Opportunity for schools to offer additional activities around environmental conservation.

* Creation of a natural park area that is accessible to everyone

The project will not disturb or change the wetland environment as it currently exists, but utilize and preserve it.

The size and location of the wetland makes rehabilitation possible in phases. Initially, the upper part of the wetland (Endstraat next to the new school building in Vierdelaan, and down to the Parys Primary School’s sports grounds) will be rehabilitated. After that, the focus will be on the polluted area along Noorder Street, past the Sasol filling station, and finally also where the Mimosa Spruit runs past Epilepsy SA’s Free State/Northwest center and flows into the Vaal River below the Mimosa Gardens.

The idea for the project started with a few sports and nature enthusiasts who realized that the wetland had potential, and the ball was set to roll to see how this area with its rich bird life could come into its own, says Leida. “Currently you have to drive if you want to go walking or cycling in nature. This is right in the middle of our town.”

The idea is to get private and corporate funding for the project. The funds will be managed by MooiParys as a non-profit organization.

Cross-country and cycling routes:

Marking of the 5km, 2km, 1km and 1.5km, routes that can be used by cross-country runners and mountain bikers has been done. It is planned to hold the first two development cross country league events in April 2025, and the Big Rock Cycling team has already cycled the network of dirtroads exploring the natural Wetland area in the centre of Parys.

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