Volunteers are celebrating significant progress in restoring Kruin Park, Lukasrand, after months of intensive work to remove invasive alien plants with support from Tshwane metro’s nature conservation division.

According to Friends of Kruin Park member Titia Tabak, the park has not been abandoned by the metro, contrary to what some residents may believe.

Instead, she said the community group enjoys regular support from nature conservation officials, who work closely with volunteers to keep the park clean, safe and accessible.

Tabak said one of the group’s biggest conservation projects over the past year has been tackling lantana, an invasive alien plant species that threatens indigenous vegetation.

“Last year, we as a friends group started to declare war on lantana, one of the invasive species in the park,” she said.

With the assistance of a dedicated team of four weedbusters, volunteers have been systematically cutting the invasive plants throughout the park.

Tabak said they expect to complete the initial clearing work this month, after which the weedbusters will receive further training from the nature conservation division on treating the plants to prevent regrowth.

She said the nature conservation division continues to play an active role in maintaining the park by collecting litter, emptying bins, repairing damaged fencing, clearing pathways and removing larger invasive trees such as jacarandas and wattles.

“They are very helpful,” she said.

She added that officials also monitor the park for people attempting to settle there and respond promptly when damage, such as holes in the perimeter fence, is reported.

Tabak said residents can also take comfort in the park’s safety record.

“There has been no security threat nor incidents reported in the last 10 years,” she said.

She added that there are currently no signs of illegal churches operating in the park.

Looking ahead, the Friends of Kruin Park and the nature conservation have developed a public participation plan to further improve the park.

Tabak said this year’s priorities include completing the removal of invasive plants and installing new entrance signage.

“Future phases will focus on marking walking trails and hosting guided walk-and-talk events to encourage more residents to appreciate the area’s natural beauty.”

Tabak described Kruin Park as a unique environmental asset offering visitors the rare experience of bushveld within the metro.

“It is a treasure to have such a lovely park on our doorstep. People walk their dogs, exercise, watch birds and experience the feeling of being in the bushveld in the middle of the big city,” she said.

She said the park’s north-and south-facing slopes, rocky outcrops and grassland create a diverse habitat that supports a wide variety of indigenous plants and birdlife, making it one of Pretoria east’s hidden natural gems.

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