Spruit in Sandton kept clean by Bryanston River Club Community Forum
SANDTON – The BRCF will be hosting a picnic at Cypress Walk after they have cleaned the whole picnic area.
The Bryanston River Club Community Forum has, for the past five years, taken it upon themselves to maintain a 3km stretch of the Braamfontein Spruit.
The clean-up involves frequent cutting of grass which makes the riverside usable by residents who walk their dogs, as well as mountain bikers.
“In February, we undertook to clean up a large area behind Cypress Walk and the complex, which runs all the way up to Ballyclare Drive, which has a picnic site,” said resident, Karl Meissner-Roloff.
He explained it involves cutting grass and overgrown vegetation as well as the removal of dead vegetation and trees.
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They also remove huge amounts of litter created by displaced persons living near the spruit. The key volunteers responsible for the larger ‘Cleanspruit Initiative’, which includes the 3km stretch, are Roy and Morag Lewer. “The community forum’s Cleanspruit team consists of two dedicated volunteers with another two individuals helping on and off. They employ two full-time employees. For large projects such as this, we often bring in a local contractor with up to eight staff,” said Meissner-Roloff.
He said the entire initiative costs in the region of R250 000 a year.
Morag Lewer, a resident and volunteer said, “The initiative that started five years ago, started with a rented tractor, but was not sustainable. About a year ago the community put in some money to buy our own dedicated tractor for the initiative.”
They currently use a tractor, a Sprinkaan lawnmower and a hedge-cutter to keep the area clean.
“To clear the picnic area took eight days and a whole team as it was very overgrown,” said Morag. She continued that this has to be a community effort and everyone should be involved.
“Cleaning the spruit once a year is not enough as the area requires constant maintenance.”
The Bryanston River Club Community Forum will be hosting a picnic at the cleared picnic area on 1 March and residents are encouraged to join the festivities.
Details: To join in the initiative, visit brcf.co.za; email: info@brcf.co.za
Edited by Beryl Knipe
Are you involved in cleaning areas along the Braamfontein Spruit as part of the community? Tell us your story by posting on the Sandton Chronicle Facebook page.
