Residents of Blairgowrie have raised concerns about the overgrown grass in Nola Park, citing decreased visibility and safety issues. Seeking clarity on the matter, Johannesburg City Parks and Zoo (City Parks) provided insights into the current state of the park and the measures being taken to address the situation.
A resident of the community, Lebogang Tlou, shared a disheartening experience when he visited the park, highlighting the challenges faced due to the dense vegetation. “The other day, I walked to my favourite park in Blairgowrie, the one on Nola Circle,” the resident recounted. However, upon arrival, Tlou was met with disappointment.
The overgrown grass hindered access to the park, compelling the resident to refrain from entering. “I arrived to find it looking like a jungle, and I refrained from entering into the thicket of green before me. In the end, I just sat at the roadside on the opposite end of the road and looked at the park with a heavy heart. I wanted to practise my staffing routine, so I staffed while walking back.”
The senior horticulturist for Region B at Johannesburg City Parks and Zoo, Rose Abdullah, acknowledged the concerns raised by residents and assured them that the park’s maintenance is currently underway. “The facility is being attended to at present, including grass cutting and general maintenance,” Abdullah stated. She attributed the delay in addressing the issue to staff being on annual leave during the previous period.
Responding to enquiries about the park’s maintenance schedule, Abdullah revealed that Nola Park follows a 30-day maintenance cycle. However, she highlighted the challenges posed by weather patterns, which can cause rapid grass growth and hinder timely service delivery. To overcome these challenges, City Parks is conducting mega blitz operations across all regions of Johannesburg.
Abdullah emphasized the commitment to ensuring the well-being of residents. “City Parks and Zoo will continue its horticultural maintenance schedules operations across the city, to reclaim green spaces.”
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