Less than a year prior to World Environment Day 2020, the James and Ethel Gray Park, in Melrose was in a derelict condition. The park was characterised by limited community utilisation, non-biodegradable waste and litter strewn across the length and breadth of the park, physical attacks on park-users, a spate of murders, regular illegal entry of commercial vehicles and an increase in home invasions adjacent to the park. The park has since undergone a significant positive transformation since the inception of the James and Ethel Gray Park Foundation (JEGPF).
The foundation was launched on 10 September last year, as a partnership involving the Melrose North Residents and Ratepayers Association (MNRRA) and Birdhaven Residents Association (BRA), in partnership with the Johannesburg City Parks and Zoo (JCPZ) and the City of Johannesburg. The vision- to support the safety and sustainability of the park.
Chairperson of the foundation, Sunil Geness said that, “To date 75per cent of the park perimeter fencing on the Northern side of the M1 has been concluded, but the foundation requires further funding support from park-users, Johannesburg residents, local and international businesses located in Johannesburg as well as local and global foundations, to meaningfully support the sustainability of the thirty six(36) hectare park, which essentially acts a giant lung to the city.”
He added that the additional donor funds will be utilized for the conclusion of payments for the current fencing and bolster the completion of the remaining 25per cent of the fencing project.
Geness concluded that, “Programmes of the JEGPF provide pragmatic mechanisms of achieving the sustainable development goals (SDGs) and the theme of World Environment Day 2020; Time for nature; through modern urban park management practices. The latter having been clearly demonstrated recently, when local residents and visitors flocking to the park as soon as Covid-19 lockdown level 3 regulations took effect, in South Africa”.
Details: For accounts details for donations enquire by email to info@jamesandethelgrayparkfoundation.org or visit the James and Ethel Gray Park Foundation.
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