Petition calls for bicycle park in the Paulshof area
PAULSHOF – Caring Paulshof community members have started a petition because they want to see land in the area turned into a bicycle park for the community to enjoy.
What if Paulshof ‘s green areas were public-friendly places where community members could meet, mingle and enjoy the outdoors together?
A group of Paulshof residents have banded together to be the change that they want to see in their community. They have started an online petition calling for land that is currently reserved for future development of the K60 road, located near Chilli Lane, to be turned into a temporary no-engine bicycle park for residents to enjoy the outdoors and foster a sense of community in the area, as well as ensure that currently unused land in the area gets utilised.
The idea was first introduced by Storm Tuson of the nearby Rivonia Riding Club, Paulshof community member and Paulshof Residents and Ratepayers Association (PRRA) member Greg Baskind, who came up with the concept of a bike park in response to the fact that children today spend a lot of time in front of screens instead of enjoying the outdoors with their friends. It is a joint initiative between the PRRA and Sunninghill Community Ratepayers.
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Other members of the community soon pitched in to lend a hand, including, among others, Kerry Mawson (of Rawson Properties) and Ward 93 councillor Candice James.
“When I first moved to this area, I would see many cyclists on the trails, but I don’t anymore,” explained Baskind. “I think a bike park would make this area a destination for cyclists from Fourways, Midrand, Kyalami and wider Joburg. More importantly, children, who nowadays don’t really leave the house, could use this kid-friendly space to enjoy more physical activities.”
Tuson agrees that giving the community’s children a safe space to be outdoors would be beneficial. “When I was growing up, I’d always be at skate parks, on a BMX bike, skateboarding, rollerblading… Introducing this bike park would bring the opportunity for more social interaction, not only for the kids, but for their parents as well. They can get out and get to know one another in such a space.”
The online petition currently has about 238 signatures and will be submitted to province for consideration. The areas targeted by the project will include the land where the K60 is planned by the Gauteng government near Chilli Lane and extend to the City land on Achter Road.
Tuson’s father owns ProRamps, a company that builds pro skating facilities, and has offered to assist with the development. Money put into the park will not be wasted as the Paulshof area changes though, as the group plan to simply move the infrastructure once construction on the K60 begins.
“People who support the idea are welcome to help out in a number of ways,” added Baskind. “They can sign the petition of course, and we’ll also need help funding the project. Local businesses are also welcome to come aboard to help finance the project.
“From the PRRA side, we’re excited to create unity in our neighbourhood through this project and can’t wait for green spaces to be available to all.”
Councillor James is happy that residents decided to get involved in a community upliftment project like the bike park. Budget has been set aside to begin work on the K60 in the 2021/22 financial year. “I’m very excited that the community is coming up with ideas for the area,” she explained.
“Usually I have to beg people to get involved. I think it’s amazing that they want to do more for the community, both to benefit themselves and others.”
She added that once enough signatures have been gathered, the petition will be handed to provincial government for consideration. Both the Department of Roads and Transport (which owns the K60 land) and the Gauteng Department of Infrastructure and Development were contacted for this story, but were unable to comment on the petition process as it fell out of their jurisdiction.
Details: Visit the PRRA website www.paulshof.org/current for more info or go to https://tinyurl.com/shsyz8a to find the online petition.
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