Bruma North residents are not pleased with the lack of upkeep of the Bruma Lake Park and have also requested that the park is fenced off.
The popular Johannesburg landmark lost its shine a few years back when it became overpopulated and contaminated.
A rehabilitation project that started in 2014, gave the area a second chance to shine. The park was unveiled in July 2017.
Also read: Revamped Bruma Lake Park unveiled
Since then Bruma North residents have raised concerns that the area will become an eyesore.
Residents are complaining that the park is not maintained and have requested that it be enclosed.
Ward 118 Clr Neuren Pietersen said he is concerned that the park is not looking great.
He recently had a meeting with businesses around the area to see what could be done to address the problem.
“The Bruma Lake Association has come on board to see what they can do to assist in terms of ensuring that the park is being utilised to its fullest potential. We agreed on the seeds of a plan to maintain the park.”
“The idea is to adopt the park and look for ways how we can encourage residents to utilise it,” said Pietersen.
Jenny Moodley from Joburg City Parks and Zoo (JCPZ) said they are aware of the Bruma Lake Park issues.
“In response to the upkeep of the park – work is in progress at the park. The horticultural team was interrupted by the heavy rains.
“Work will continue once the rains recede and until the park – as a whole – is fully maintained.”
She said fencing off the park could only be considered if a budget is available.
Also read: Bruma Lake development continues
“Fencing requires a financial injection under capital expenditure (capex). The matter must be put forward as part of the ward’s capex priority requirements and so the park will be fenced if a budget is made available,” said Moodley.
She also expressed concern about the lack of use of the park.
“The facility is largely under-utilised by the community. We appeal to the community to work with the ward councillor to utilise this facility while retaining the space as a public open space,” said Moodley.
A tour was recently undertaken by the member of the mayoral committee for community development, Clr Nonhlanhla Sifumba, to assess the state of several parks including Bruma Lake Park.
The MMC was also concerned by the lack of use of the park and the claims of opportunistic crime and alleged drug peddling in the vicinity of the park.
“These factors are contributing to a lack of visitors to the facility. We need to have supporting marketing plans in place and identify potential partnership opportunities to increase visitors to the parks.
“Planned interventions include lobbying SAPS and JMPD to combat the criminal element in the facility,” said Sifumba.
Residents are invited to forward their proposals on how to encourage community participation.
Proposals can be emailed to Louise Gordon on lgordon@jhbcityparks.com
