JCPZ launches a park that was revamped 2 years ago

The long-awaited launch of a revamped park in Florida has finally taken place, leaving some residents questioning the timing of the event.

The Johannesburg City Parks and Zoo (JCPZ), alongside MMC for Community Development Lubabalo Mangwentshu, finally launched the newly revamped park to the local community of Florida’s Region C on April 18.

However, some members of the community are questioning the timing of the launch, speculating that it may be linked to the upcoming elections.

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With national elections on the horizon, many believe that the launch may be a strategic move to garner support from the community.

According to Mangwentshu, the park was revamped in two phases: Phase One was in 2020/ 21, and Phase Two was in the 2022/ 23 financial year. It cost about R4.2 million and created numerous jobs.

“Phase One took place during Covid-19, and when we had to launch it, Phase Two had to start.

“So, we decided that we would combine the two phases and launch them today. Phase Three will start in the new financial year, depending on the budgets,” he said.

The recent revamp of Florida Lake Park offers park users newly installed play equipment with rubberised surfaces for the safety of children, free-to-use outdoor gym equipment, a renovated lapa, additional new braai facilities with ramps for wheelchair users, and controlled access and exit to the park.

During the launch, there were few people from the community present, and according to Clr Lubabalo, they are working on a tight budget, hence they couldn’t invite more.

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“Remember, when you invite people, you must transport them and ensure that they are fed. We couldn’t do that because we are working on tight budgets,” he said.

Ward 70 councillor Caleb Finn welcomed the launch and stated that the community has been developed.

He emphasised the hard work and dedication that went into revamping the park, ensuring that it would be a safe and enjoyable space for all residents to use.

“Although the upgrades to the park happened a while back, I welcome the improvements and look forward to seeing more community members making use of the facilities at Florida Lake Park.

“The launch was held at relatively short notice and the invites were handled by JCPZ, it is unfortunate that few community members were present but I am certain that many residents have noticed the improvements at the park and are already utilising the upgraded park facilities,” he added.

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The Roodepoort Record spoke to members of the community to get their opinions on the recent launch that took place and its timing.

Siyanda Masikana said, “I saw the posters that we were invited to the launch, but I didn’t come, mainly because there was nothing to see. I know this park, and we used to host events here, but there’s nothing new that has been done to the park.”

Tshegofatso Mhiko said it’s cheap electioneering.

“Covid-19 heavy restrictions ended in 2020. If the launch was really about the park, wouldn’t they have done it within the past three years? This is a tactic to give us the impression that they are working,” she said.

Gift Seziba said, “The launch was beneficial for them and not us. It is the same as load-shedding. All of a sudden we don’t have load-shedding because they know the elections are close. You cannot launch something that was revamped two years ago.”

Thembokuhle Gumede said he knows the before and after of the park, but now there are sections of the park that are dead.
“There is a house that used to have toilets and a kitchen, but now it doesn’t have a roof. There is also a bridge near the lakeside that is not in good condition. They could have fixed that before doing the launch,” he said.