The project will be completed in phases over several years.
According to City Parks spokesperson Jenny Moodley, first to be addressed will be parking at the zoo and the desilting of the lake. This will form part of the city council’s capital expenditure spend for 2013/14, with further allocation in the 2014/15 fiscus.
Moodley said she hoped the desilting of the lake would begin in September, shortly after the annual Jazz on the Lake event. The material removed from the lake would be used to upgrade the parking area off Jan Smuts Avenue, which is to be used as a holding area while a parking garage is built at the zoo.
“[This] will ensure that off-street parking concerns and traffic congestion complaints by residents living adjacent to the zoo are addressed. We will champion the project by developing a comprehensive plan for the zoo and Zoo Lake eco-precinct,” she said.
The plan will include the creation of a link between the zoo and Zoo Lake, and the upgrade of recreational areas in the park. The upgrade would include a jogging trail and an outdoor gym.
“Consultations have commenced with relevant stakeholders and an environmental impact assessment will be commissioned to inform the roll out,” said Moodley.
Ward councillor Tim Truluck said he thought the plans for the upgrade were “wonderful”.
“It’s long overdue. I raised the matter of desilting the lake for a while, and am glad it’s going to get done. At a meeting with City Parks I was told it would be done more regularly, going forward. Residents around Zoo Lake may have to put up with a bit of a stink in the air for a few days after the lake has been dredged,” he said.
Truluck said he was happy about the planned upgrades of the city’s flagship park and the zoo’s parking area.
“It makes sense to see the zoo and the park as a green precinct. I’m really excited to see how it all turns out,” he said.
