Oriel Park progress in final stages

With the completion of a stormwater servitude at Oriel Park, community members can breathe a sigh of relief.

The project which began in 2013, has reached its final stages and nearing an end.

With all the improvements done to the park, Ward 20 Clr Jill Humphreys has high hopes for the park’s future.

Also read: Oriel Park gets a makeover

Humphreys sees the park as a sustainable green park with natural grass, mowed pathways and planting of new indigenous trees.

“I am hoping this park will be a healthy highveld biome,” said Humphreys.

She said the park could become home to a number of animals.

“The community is relieved to see the changes made to the park and has stepped in to do their part,” said Humphreys.

“They have started planting indigenous trees and hope to continue.”

Also read: Oriel Park well underway to completion

Since the park has been re-landscaped, residents have started doing a number of activities such as yoga and dog walking at the park.

Humphreys sees the park as a way to bring the community closer together by meeting up and getting involved with one another.

Humphreys said that she wants a play area for children and a gym for further involvement by the community.

Another benefit to the park is a boom gate, which allows for a safer public environment for the community.

Despite her hopes for the park’s future, Humphreys does have concerns.

Also read: Pollution at Oriel Park

The concrete bricks in the servitude are buckling.

Humphreys believes the buckled servitude may affect water flow and contribute to flooding.

“Construction rubble still needs to be removed from the park, building campsites must be taken down and broken fences must be repaired,” she said.

Humphreys has reached out to contractors to attend to these issues.

A request for comment was sent to the City of Ekurhuleni on April 5.

Comment was requested by April 9 at 9am.

At the time of going to print no comment has been received.