Benoni Small Farms resident Debra Murray has started a project to focus on the park’s soil and flora rehabilitation.
“The Bunny Park exists to offer an environment of beauty, upliftment, education, joy and safety to all life; inhabiting, working at and visiting the Bunny Park,” she said.
“The original plan for the park is for it to be upheld and improved through modern, updated methods of animal husbandry and natural organic farming methods, resulting in a self-sustainable environment.
“A self-sustaining environment through wise land management and use and profit generated from retail, education and training will support the continued existence of the park, in addition to serving the community.”
Murray listed five areas to be tackled regarding the conditions of the soil and flora and what she needed in order to work in these areas.
- Rabbit enclosure:
“As the rabbits are removed and sterilised, they have to come back to an area that is upgraded.
“We’ll need vegetation, irrigation, a booster pump for irrigation, lead-free paint, compost, top soil and manpower.”
- Rainwater run-off area:
“We want to create reed beds to clear the water before it reaches the dam; in the dams there are fish, birds and plants, so we need to stabilise that environment.”
- Aviary:
“There will be no roof or artificial sides, we want to create more of a natural forest canopy and then feeding and nesting platforms, so the birds will be free to fly in and out.”
- Dam islands:
“We’ll grow grass on the islands.
“I have a compost and grass donation which, understandably, will not come until irrigation is assured, so we need a pump, which must be solar powered.”
- Community food gardens:
“The plan is for the gardens to feed people who help maintain it, the animals in the park and retail of any surplus to bring in additional funds for the park.”
Tania Forrest-Smith, from the Bunny Park Volunteer Group, said it’s a good initiative, but would require delicate planning, especially regarding the bunny enclosure.
“The bunnies’ burrow out under the enclosure’s walls and, since there’s a lot of concrete, it’s tough to close the deepest burrows,” she commented.
“Debra’s plan sounds lovely, but first something will have to be done about keeping the bunnies inside.”
Murray encouraged the public to help with the project.
She can be contacted on 084 815 1631 or womenswisdom2012@gmail.com.
