New developments of James and Ethel Gray Park unveiled
MELROSE — Further park infrastructure has been developed by James and Ethel Gray Foundation, a 24 hour security staff has been assigned to the park,
A formal unveiling of the recently completed fencing project and other transformational developments of James and Ethel Gray Park took place on October 27 with the support of Johannesburg Executive Mayor, Mpho Moerane.
This project was an initiative of City Parks, James and Ethel Gray Foundation, Birdhaven Ratepayers Association, Melrose North Ratepayers Association, Amdec, and Cochrane fencing.
In his speech, Moerane praised the chairperson of the foundation, Sunil Geness, for establishing a partnership between business, government and the community.
In addition to infrastructure improvements in the park, 24-hour security staff have been assigned to the park, and regular river and park clean-ups have been scheduled to increase volunteer interaction and to encourage park ownership.
Geness, who also resides in the area said, “Johannesburg City Parks Zoo continues to make the city of Johannesburg a liveable city by actively partnering with community organisations and resident associations to provide open spaces in which people can relax, play and enjoy the great outdoors.
“I could not believe what was happening in the park before. There was trash all over the place, people living in the park, and overgrown trees, so we decided to have a dialogue with the homeless and work towards adopting the park.”
Also present at the unveiling were MMC for Community Development, Margaret Arnolds, Mrs South Africa 2021 finalist Farrah Rymer and Ward 74 councillor Dave Fisher.
The park is named after the early Johannesburg historians, James and Ethel Gray, and is situated in the affluent suburb of Birdhaven.
