Innesfree Park turned into a bright labyrinth
SANDOWN – The structure was originally an old, broken fountain which has been upgraded by local resident Beryl Porter.
A Sandown resident has helped transform a broken and disused fountain at Innesfree Park into a bright labyrinth which draws the eyes of park goers.
Beryl Porter has lived in the neighbourhood for over 40 years and has a love of labyrinths, which are spiral paths often used for meditation. Porter expressed her desire to create a permanent labyrinth at a park to be used by visitors and her plans have finally come to fruition.
The fountain was built for the Soccer World Cup in 2010 however shortly after the opening ceremony the working mechanisms for the fountain was stolen. The fountain fell into a state of disrepair and for the past eight years, the fountain has only been a source of dirty water and broken bottles.
The land originally belonged to the late Richard Lurie, and his son Charles visited Porter’s home to see some of the labyrinths she had built there. Louise Gordon, executive manager for Business Development and Stakeholder Management at Johannesburg City Parks and Zoo also visited the labyrinths and gave Porter the go-ahead to make use of the fountain to create the labyrinth.
The project was far larger than Porter expected and took about six weeks to complete. “I did not realise what an enormous task this was – to pump out all the stale water and rubbish from the centre, then fill this area and concrete it in and lay a drain in the centre in order to take away the flow of water that might accumulate in the centre due to the slope of the bricks for the fountain.
“I am pleased to say we have created a beautiful piece of art, giving locals and tourists the opportunity of experiencing a special peaceful, meditating, calming and protective green space right in the heart of the concrete jungle.”
Porter added that while working on the project, a couple of men who stay in the informal settlement at the park volunteered to assist her with the work. Victor Mhluri Niobela, Walter Muyambo and Edward Serabi now help her on a regular basis to ensure that the labyrinth is kept clean. Porter’s daughter Margot Gomer also helped to ensure that the project was completed.
Share your thoughts on the new labyrinth at the Innesfree Park on the Sandton Chronicle Facebook page
Related Articles:
https://www.citizen.co.za/sandton-chronicle/166005/sandton-central-connects-the-great-outdoors
https://www.citizen.co.za/sandton-chronicle/129381/know-your-park-and-ride-routes-for-ecomobility-month/
