Community rallies to give Norwood Park, Algernon Park, and Oaklands Park a fresh start
Thanks to a fundraising campaign, led by Roxsure and the Norwood Orchards Residents Association, the safety, security, and maintenance at Norwood Park, Algernon Park, and Oaklands Park is soon to see a huge improvement.
A fundraising initiative, led by Roxsure Insurance Brokers and the Norwood Orchards Residents Association (Nora), is aiming to raise approximately R1.3m to improve and maintain Norwood Park, Algernon Park, and Oaklands Park.
The project seeks to fund security, fencing, and the continuous maintenance of the parks, with the sole target of establishing a safe environment where residents and their families can spend time safely.
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Speaking at James Ethel Gray Park, a well-maintained public park that sets an example of what the campaign is trying to achieve, Roxsure managing director and Nora chairperson Jason Grove said communities can no longer sit and watch as the state of their parks deteriorates.
“We, as the residents of areas, will now start taking back our own spaces, rehabilitating them and actually giving them back to our own residents.
“All that we want to do is actually return our public open spaces, secure them, put security into them, and create those spaces where people can take their children, their families, go and spend the weekend, have picnics, and actually enjoy the open space again.”
According to Grove, the three parks that need to be maintained have been affected by vagrancy, crime, drug-related activity, and poor maintenance, causing residents to stay away from them out of fear of their safety.
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He added that Roxsure became involved in this project as part of its social wellbeing initiative. Grove said Roxsure has already contributed R80 000 towards the initiative and that it will match donations from Roxsure clients by 20%, and by up to 5% for non-clients.
Johannesburg City Parks and Zoo (JCPZ) said it remains responsible for maintaining the city’s parks through regular services such as infrastructure maintenance, grass cutting, litter collection, and tree management.
The entity said it firmly believes that while parks remain the city’s responsibility, their long-term sustainability depends on active community stewardship.
Through the adopt-a-park programme, the organisation partners with resident associations, schools, businesses, faith-based organisations, and civil society to encourage greater ownership, environmental responsibility, and positive activation of public spaces.
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According to JCPZ, Norwood Park already has an adopt-a-park agreement in place, which allows community members and organisations to be active in the maintenance of parks.
The entity added that community involvement will help reduce crime, littering, and vandalism, while encouraging the use of parks.
Residents and organisations that are interested in donating towards the campaign, or partnering to improve local parks, are encouraged to contact Nora and Johannesburg City Parks and Zoo for more information.
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