George Lea Park makeover
SANDTON – Community members come together to give George Lea Park a makeover.
There has been a significant amount of negative reporting about George Lea Park.
In the article, Rubbish Attraction, week ending 20 May, George Lea Park was described as a dumping site for building rubble.
However, community members and City Parks are determined to give the park an extreme makeover.
Kate Wardle, deputy chairperson of the Parkmore Community Association said, “Johannesburg City Parks and Zoo sent a team of 30 workers to George Lea Park on 24 and 25 May to start a clean-up operation. They were assisted by the Parkmore Community Association and the Lower Sandhurst Community Association, which provided manpower and chainsaws for these efforts.”
Wardle added that Designer Gardeners spent two days trimming the trees along the perimeter fence and removed all alien vegetation.
She went on to explain the goals that community members have for the future of George Lea Park. “This is the start of a concerted effort by the Sandton Sports Club, working closely with the local residents’ associations, to clean up and rehabilitate the area for public use. The next step is to secure the land and get the City to assist in the removing of the refuse and discuss how to move more than 300 people living in the park,” said Wardle.
Wardle stressed, “We need to work closely with the City and all parties to join hands in saving this park from pollution and poor management. It is heartbreaking to see people living in such undignified circumstances, women and children too, and it cannot be allowed to continue.
City Parks spokesperson, Jenny Moodley said, “The clean-up after the first day was found to be successful with City Parks and Zoo’s conservation team on hand to assist and to remove the branches. We are hopeful that this is a start to an ongoing partnership to reclaim this section and to restore the integrity of a once thriving facility.”
She added that City Parks would like to commend the community of Parkmore, and particularly Wardle, for clearing and cleaning George Lea Park along the water course.
Wardle concluded by saying that all residents needed to help. “Recycling companies, clean-up companies, residents and the City need to address this problem. The Sandton Sports Club’s long-term plan is to rehabilitate this area and secure it, turning it into a park that has bike and walking trails.”
Details: trees@jhbcityparks.com
Read more:
George Lea Park becomes a dumping ground
A problem bigger than just George Lea
