Community Cleaners take a step towards a cleaner park with Fairland park Spanish reed removal
Community Cleaners successfully tackle the Spanish reed removal project at King and Wilson Park. With significant advancements made and just a few days left, the park is set for a stunning transformation.
The ongoing project to remove about 1 000sqm of Spanish reeds from King and Wilson Park in Fairland, by André Swanepoel and Wayne Hibbert and their team, Community Cleaners, is entering its third week with significant advancements.
The initiative, which began on August 7, is on track to conclude next week.
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Both Swanepoel and Hibbert have been actively involved in the project, while Barbara Morrison has taken the lead in removing bugweed from the area, contributing significantly to the overall effort.
The team has successfully completed the clearing of the Willson Street side and is now concentrating on the larger San Juan Avenue section of the park. The transformation has been remarkable, prompting community members to visit and witness the improvements firsthand.
“This is a significant project that we hope to complete by the end of this week,” Swanepoel said. However, the initiative has faced challenges, particularly concerning the removal of roots, which Swanepoel identified as the most difficult aspect of the job.
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To assist in the process, a TLB (tractor loader backhoe) was rented to loosen the soil and roots, but the final excavation required extensive manual labour. The project incurs costs of approximately R2 000 per day, underscoring the importance of ongoing community support for its success.
He also added that City Parks donated 20 yellow fever trees and some of them will be planted in the park in place of the Spanish reeds.
Looking ahead, Swanepoel proposed the construction of a bridge over the spruit to enhance accessibility and allow the community to enjoy both sides of the park. In a recent update, the team announced the successful completion of cutting and poisoning the last of the bugweed from the wetland area, with approximately 150 bugweed plants of varying sizes removed.
As the project progresses, the Community Cleaners remain committed to sharing updates regularly, working diligently to create a cleaner and more enjoyable environment for all visitors to King and Wilson Park. The collaborative effort illustrates the community’s dedication to preserving and enhancing their local green spaces.
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