Bunny Park reopens on Friday

The DA garnered 210 signatures on a petition at the Bunny Park on November 28, during the monthly craft market, in support of urgently addressing the incomplete upgrade of the park and to ensure it is reopened to the community without delay.

December 3, 2020

Terry-Ann Diergaardt 2 minutes read

Eight goats were relocated from the Bokkie Park in preparation for the opening of the Bunny Park.

After nearly a four year wait, the MMC for Environmental Resource and Waste Management in Ekurhuleni, Makhosazana Mabaso, confirmed on Tuesday (December 1) that the Bunny Park will officially reopen to the public tomorrow (December 4).

The park was closed in March 2017 for a three-phase revamp with phases one and two expected to be completed by October that year.

However, phase two only commenced in November and several complications arose subsequent to this which delayed the completion of the revamp and reopening of the park.

Ekurhuleni metro spokesperson Themba Gadebe told the City Times last year that R30-million will be spent to fully complete the revamp.

The City Times visited the park on Tuesday after being tipped off about animals being moved to the park from the Bokkie Park, in Boksburg.

Mabaso, Jaco Burger of the parks department, Tania Forrest-Smith, founder of the Bunny Park Rescue Group, Benoni SPCA staff and former Ward 27 councillor Jacques Meiring were at the park.

The SPCA employees oversaw the relocation of the eight goats and five sheep into their new enclosure at the Bunny Park.

André du Plessis, Ward 23 councillor and the DA spokesperson for oversight on Environmental Resources and Waste Management, also made an appearance and raised his concerns regarding Meiring’s presence as the interim councillor for the ward, Jordan Lotriet, was not informed of any goings on at the park.

The DA garnered 210 signatures on a petition at the Bunny Park on November 28, during the monthly craft market, in support of urgently addressing the incomplete upgrade of the park and to ensure it is reopened to the community without delay.

Forrest-Smith instructed park manager Jaco Burger regarding the welfare of the animals being reintroduced, saying:

• All animals brought to the Bunny Park need to be sterilised.

• Animals are to be put on a strict meal plan to prevent laminitis, an inflammation of the laminar corium of the hoof wall.

• Visitors will not be allowed to feed animals within the enclosures as the park is no longer a petting zoo.

Mabaso declined to speak to the City Times at the park, only officially confirming the park reopens on December 4 and adding that all other official statements and business will be dealt with on that day.