A wonderful example of community spirit in action
NORWOOD – These efforts were illustrated in the transformation of a litter-ridden space into an indigenous garden.
An open space that was used as a dumping ground and littered with needles of drug users is slowly turning into a beautiful garden.
Combined efforts are being made by Victoria Orange Grove residents and their neighbours to transform the site located at the Woodlands Lane entrance to the Norwood Police Barracks.
Chairperson of Victoria Orange Grove West Residents Association, Ilan Guest said, “The idea to clean up and beautify the area has been a talking point among neighbours of the Victoria Orange Grove West Residents Association for some time.
Thanks to the combined efforts of the neighbours, an indigenous garden is now taking shape at the entrance of the police barracks. We hope that this new garden would inspire pride in the local community and discourage littering.”
He added that local resident, Peta Thornycroft had been the driving force behind the initiative with most of the plants coming from her garden. Thornycroft had managed the design of the garden and the plant donations from neighbours in the area.
Fellow resident Emily Wellman said they had spent weeks clearing the rubble either by hand or using wheelbarrows which they also used to carry water as there was no tap nearby.
She added, “These are all South African indigenous plants which we have planted in a semi-sensible way so that the garden doesn’t need to be frequently watered. We hope that by making this positive change, people who drive through the neighbourhood will see and appreciate it. It’s one less space in our area that looks derelict and we hope that the families that live in the barracks will be motivated not to litter or destroy it.”
She added that the community members involved would continue to mow the lawn, and weed and water the garden. “We really hope that now that the initiative has been taken, the community will be protective of it and it will inspire people to do something similar in other areas of the barracks which are also derelict. We have planted tomatoes on the edges if people want to pick them.”
Norwood Community Police Forum chairperson Colin Wasserfall said it was good to see the community taking the initiative and it seemed to happen more often as people took ownership of public spaces. “The reasons could be they can’t bear the effects of Coivd-19. The society and leadership entities as a whole have no money, therefore the people have got to step up otherwise nobody will take responsibility.”
Filler: Share your local community projects by email to naidines@caxton.co.za
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