Community comes together for play park
HALFWAY HOUSE – A community petition process to establish a play park in Halfway House has been approved by Johannesburg City Parks and Zoo.
Following a petition to call for the establishment of a play park on an empty stand in Halfway House, Johannesburg City Parks and Zoo (JCPZ) has accepted the community’s request.
The petition was led by concerned resident Carol Lee Steyn. She said she had been pushing for the project since last year which would see the 6 325m² stand situated on Harry Galaun Drive being turned into a play park.
Steyn added that the stand was currently zoned to be a park and had been plagued by displaced people sleeping there and drugs were allegedly being sold.
She said the park would benefit the entire community as it was in walking distance of homes, schools, shops and clinics.
Steyn hosted a special handover of the petition to Ward 112 councillor Madeleine Hicklin which included pictures drawn of the prospective park by Grade 3 learners of Halfway House Primary School. The event was also attended by the CEO of Ria Sebetsa Security Services Danny Maduray and Sector 2 CPF chairperson Sharma Sewjalal.
Hicklin said, “This is a wonderful community initiative. The community approached me initially about using this park as a community facility. Joburg City Parks and Zoo, the City of Johannesburg and myself as a ward councillor are absolutely thrilled that we have active citizens who come to us to do joint ventures like this.
“This process began last year… We are over the moon about sorting this out, as a community, for the community and by the community. JCPZ will maintain the park as they maintain all other parks.”
She added that the petition was of extreme importance because it illustrated to City Parks that there was community involvement.
City Parks confirmed that they would accept the community’s request to establish the park. The spokesperson for City Parks Jenny Moodley acknowledged the community’s hard work.
“We know that resources are short, but this project shows that the power of community can assist in that shortfall,” she said. “And we encourage other communities to engage in the same manner so we can have more of these projects.”
Details: Ward 112 councillor Madeleine Hicklin 082 744 5155.
Related article:
https://www.citizen.co.za/midrand-reporter/159416/city-parks-launches-a-book-to-remind-joburgers-that-there-is-nature-all-around/
https://www.citizen.co.za/midrand-reporter/100410/city-parks-launches-activism-campaign/
