In the Sandton suburb, a beacon of environmental stewardship emerges when resident Carmen Graham spearheads a much-needed clean-up event at Mushroom Farm Park.
With a vision to revitalise the beloved green space, Graham galvanised volunteers from all walks of life to join hands and make a tangible difference in their neighbourhood.
She said the inspiration to organise this clean-up came from seeing how much their local parks benefit the community, as they are a place for recreation, relaxation, and connecting with nature.
“Organising a clean-up was a way to give back and ensure it remains a beautiful and inclusive space for everyone.”
Graham, a passionate advocate for environmental conservation, highlighted that planning the event was a collaborative and engaging process.
“We formed a small committee to handle logistics, gathered supplies from local businesses, and set a date that worked for most community members. Execution involved dividing volunteers into teams to cover different areas of the park efficiently.”
She added that for this clean-up, they collaborated with Joburg City Parks and Zoo, Truffles on the Park, Excellent Managed Services, Wetland Cleaning (CAP Green Team), The Daisy Lady, and the Johannesburg Parks Alliance.
“The clean-up was a success; it was heartwarming to see community members all working side-by-side with our loyal, dedicated staff, all pitching in with great energy and smiles for the cause.”
Graham pointed out that they collected several hundred kilograms of trash, and that was a real eye-opener for many about the impact of littering.
“We collected bottle caps separately, residual trash from the live events, with a total of 1 344 bottle caps.”
She concluded by stating that they hope the event not only keeps the park clean but also fosters a sense of community and responsibility towards the environment.
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