Delta Park has happy trails
DELTA PARK – Already 11km of trails have been upgraded in and around Delta Park.
A collective dream to restore the Braamfontein Spruit and create a better experience for runners, walkers and cyclists in its connected parks in Joburg, is one step closer to being realised.
Jozi Trails, a six-years-in-the-making project aiming to do this by repairing some degraded sections of the spruit and parks as well as creating separate trails for mountain bikers and runners/walkers, saw its pilot project launched at Delta Park on 28 May.
“Today is yet another reminder and testament that private-public partnerships can work when the strategic goals of the public and private sector are aligned in finding common ground,” said Joburg MMC for Community Development, Nonhlanhla Sifumba, referring to the aid of Hollard as the project’s chief sponsor.
Johannesburg City Parks and Zoo has also partnered with Jozi Trails to ensure official authorisation and oversight from the point of the City of Joburg.
Furthermore, the project will see private security and sites of emergency established in Delta Park over weekends.
“The parks and trails that surround the beautiful Braamfontein Spruit attract thousands of people each week, who come to enjoy a scenic bike ride, take their dogs for a walk, or simply take in a breath of fresh air on a brisk walk,” said Jozi Trails managing director, Albert van Urk.
“However, sections along the Spruit have needed some serious tender loving care.”
Hollard has invested an initial amount of R1.5 million toward the trails and aesthetic improvement of the park.
“We’re eager to participate in the reinvigoration and beautification of these spaces, so that the parks and trails along the spruit flourish as beautiful, safe and well-maintained spots for all,” said chief marketing officer at Hollard, Heidi Brauer.
The first 11km of trails along the spruit have already been upgraded. Some of the challenges that still need to be addressed include land erosion, inadequate drainage, unclear routing on trails, criminal activity, and even conflicts between the groups of people who frequent the park.
Ward 117 councillor Tim Truluck has been involved with Jozi Trails since its inception. “We found a need to formalise the trails after the communities of mountain bikers and walkers sometimes used to fight over the use of the trails,” he said.
Executive manager of business development and stakeholder management at City Parks, Louise Gordon explained that lessons learnt from the pilot project in Delta Park would be used when the project moves to other areas.
Stay updated with the project by visiting www.jozitrails.co.za or the project’s Facebook page.
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