There’s a quiet but determined transformation taking place in the heart of Parys — and it’s rooted not in concrete or commerce, but in soil, water, and community integration. The area between Father Balink School and the Parys Primary’s sports grounds is known to many as a shortcut, a grazing ground, or even a place to harvest firewood.

But beneath the litter and invasive shrubs lies something much more valuable: a 20-hectare wetland, fed by a clean spring that has been quenching the community for generations, forming a critical ecological and social corridor through the town of Parys.
After years of neglect, the wetland is coming back to life — and the project has just taken a major step forward.
New NPC, New Era

The Parys Wetland Park Project has formally registered its own non-profit company (NPC) with an independent board and dedicated bank account. This gives the project the necessary governance backbone to manage funding transparently and sustainably, and to grow in partnership with both community and corporate allies. And the good news doesn’t stop there.

The project team has recently received confirmation of sponsorships from two major supporters: Damlaagte PV Facility and Sasol. These contributions will enable the rollout of Phase 1 development, set to launch publicly in November 2025.

What to Expect: A Thoughtful Approach
Don’t expect built structures and concrete paths. The team has been clear from the start: this is about going slow and steady, building something with the community, for the community, that will stand for generations.

“Our focus is on education, awareness, and ecological respect,” says Leida Schuman, Project Coordinator.
“We’re not rushing into infrastructure. We want to lay the groundwork properly — through sharing knowledge and ensuring community support, cleanup efforts, invasive species management, and gentle trail development that respects the wetland’s biodiversity.”

Already, school learners are being engaged, with over 120 young minds introduced to the idea of urban ecological stewardship in the last month alone.
In addition, two groups of postgraduate students from the Vaal University of Technology (VUT) have joined the initiative, undertaking structured environmental monitoring and data collection. Their work will help inform wetland management strategies, such as water and soil quality analysis, species mapping, and invasive species control, ensuring that decisions are scientifically grounded and ecologically sound.

A Legacy in the Making
The vision behind the Parys Wetland Park isn’t a quick fix or a once-off campaign — it’s a generational asset in the making. One that could offer cross-country trails, birdwatching spots, indigenous flora education, and peaceful walking routes, all within a safe, accessible, and natural green space.
“We want to create something that will still give people pleasure twenty, fifty, even a hundred years from now,” says Schuman. “A space that belongs to Parys.”

Call to Community
The project welcomes support — whether in the form of local knowledge, volunteer time, or even just a helping hand during clean-up days. Because this wetland isn’t just about conservation. It’s about connection.

For more information or to get involved, contact Leida Schuman at leida@blueskyimpact.co.za or 082 465 6388.