Sandton residents care for their park

A small group of dedicated residents took time to clean up their community park.

The clean up event, organized by Jean Baillie, the clean takes place every two months to ensure that the park remains clean.

Baillie also started the Park Run and each week runners in the park also help tidy up litter. Only a small group of resident participated in the clean up on 17 August however the small group managed to collect numerous black bags filled with litter.

Baillie said that since she started organising the cleanups she’s seeing a remarkable improvement in the park with many more people regularly making use of the park.

She said that there has been a struggle to encourage more people to participate and she hopes more

“I really do a lot of satisfaction from it. I get huge satisfaction out of seeing the park used by the community because before no one came here.”

Baillie has also listed the clean up on Community Hours, a portal which facilitates community service so that people can get community service hours for helping clean up the park.

John Clinning, a member of Atholl, Inanda, Illovo, Winston Ridge, Elton Hill and surrounds Community Support Company (AIIWE) also lent his support to the cleanup. He explained that AIIWE is a non-profit organisation which focuses on security along the green belt. There is a network of 163 digital cameras; 57 licence plate recognition cameras at suburb entry points and 12 thermal cameras along the green belt to assist with security.

One of the goals of AIIWE is to ensure that public spaces are well maintained and to develop public spaces that are enjoyed by the community.

If you would like to organise a clean-up in your area contact Phindi Lethoko on 082 337 6463.

Share your thoughts on the clean-up on the Sandton Chronicle Facebook page

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https://www.citizen.co.za/sandton-chronicle/217310/kelvin-keeps-it-clean/