Following the removal of the footbridge in 5th Avenue Park, a local resident has offered to donate R50 000 towards improvements in the park.
Watch the removal of the bridge here.
Rhys Ralph had constructed the bridge two years ago, much to the community’s delight, as they now had access to the Braamfontein Spruit.
Jack Riley said he is upset about the removal of the footbridge and decided to make the donation to help improve the park.
“I am so saddened by the actions that one man can have on a community and truly inspired by another’s. I used that bridge every day to walk my dogs and watch my grandchildren play in the park and now I can no longer cross the river and enjoy the delta. I have lived in Parkhurst for over 30 years.”
He said he had seen Ralph put so much energy and money into making the park a special place, and he was the first person to make a real difference there. He added that Ralph and his family had made an inspirational effort.
Even the day after the bridge had been taken down, he noticed Ralph and his ‘merry’ men clearing and cleaning another portion of the park. He said this inspired him so much that he decided to make the donation.
Ralph added that numerous other donations have started to flow in and even a resident from Craigtowne has offered to contribute to the park. According to Ralph, Riley would like the money to be spent on erecting a jungle gym, planting veggies and general maintenance.
“All jungles gyms will be procured directly through City Parks. The park is also currently being adopted by Praboa [Parkhurst Residents and Business Owners Association]. The process has already started and the local ward councillor Tim Truluck has given his approval,” Ralph stated.
The association’s Chris Diamond responded, “Prabo will be happy to cooperate with CoJ [City of Joburg] in the development and management of the park, including an agreement for the adoption of the park. This is provided for in Section 24 of the Public Open Space By-laws. We believe that regulated cooperation will be for the benefit of all users from Parkhurst, in whose interests we all serve.”
Readers can visit www.parkhurstvillage.com for more information on the Parkhurst Residents and Business Owners Association.
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Related article:
#ICYMI: 5th Avenue footbridge in Parkhurst has been removed [VIDEO]
