Pieter Roos Park, in Parktown, was once a proud jewel of Johannesburg. Today, it stands as a symbol of neglect and official indifference. Despite repeated calls for help, the century-old park remains plagued by crime, squatting, and crumbling infrastructure.

Back in October 2021, the Parklane Village Body Corporate wrote directly to the City of Johannesburg, warning about illegal structures being built inside the park, fires burning at night, and litter choking the once lush grounds. They pleaded for urgent action, highlighting the risks, not only to residents, but also to children, hospitals, schools, and even the constitutional court precinct nearby.

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Four years later, those appeals feel like words lost to the wind. Parklane chairperson Alie Areington says the situation has worsened. “Nothing has been done. Women are still attacked in the mornings, motorbikes race through, and illegal parking damages what little green space is left. We have tried meetings, projects, and raising awareness, but the city remains silent.”

The impact has rippled into the housing market too. “A badly run park can drag an entire neighbourhood down,” warned estate agent Suhail Timol. “Instead of adding value, it scares buyers away. Families, professionals, and investors are not looking to move next to crime and chaos.”

Established in 1912, Pieter Roos Park has a storied past as a contested space between Parktown’s elite and residents from surrounding suburbs. Today, however, it is not history, but the present that troubles locals. More than a century after its creation, Johannesburg’s residents are left asking whether one of its oldest public parks can be restored to safety and dignity, or whether it will remain forgotten.

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