Van Riebeeck conservation park breaks ground
EPCPD identified a section within the Bluff green belt, Van Riebeeck Park as its preferred site to implement the restoration project,
AFTER a few delays, the the Van Riebeeck (VR) Conservation and Recreation Park adjacent to Harlequins sports fields has finally broken ground.
Ward 66 councillor JP Prinsloo’s office has appointed community liaison officer (CLO) Donald Naidoo who will work on-site with the developers to provide a link between his office and the project team.
The development of this park provides the Bluff with an unique opportunity to experience the true beauty of its community through the various recreational and environmental activities being implemented within the project. “We have partnered with our local tourism organisation, SODURBA to include the park into its ‘conservation experience’ to attract local visitors and national tourists to visit. This will provide an opportunity to increase investment in our local economy, increase job opportunities for local businesses and start tapping into the true potential of the Bluff experience,” said Cllr Prinsloo.
READ: Van Riebeeck Park oasis takes shape
Over the past few months, the ward 66 team has engaged in constructive discussions on behalf of the greater Bluff community and city officials from the Environmental Planning and Climate Protection Department (EPCPD) about the Van Riebeeck (VR) Conservation and Recreation Park.
“An opportunity presented itself after EPCPD engaged with the developers of the Clairwood racecourse to invest in the restoration of any green space located within the South Durban Basin area as an offset project to that development. EPCPD identified a section within the Bluff green belt, Van Riebeeck Park as its preferred site to implement the restoration project,” said Cllr Prinsloo.
READ: Bluff conservancy in the pipeline
A proposal by the department to include a recreational aspect within the greening project, in order to fully capitalise on the site’s beauty and ecological value, included developing water basins for various types of grasslands which would attract additional bird and insect species; the creation of wooden walkways for walking and running; bird hides for avid bird watchers; replanting of endemic and indigenous plants; benches and educational signage across the entire park to attract residents and tourists from across the country to visit the park.
“The ward 66 committee chairman for conservation and environmental protection, Louise Colvin and I have worked closely with the department and developers to ensure all aspects were fully considered and take into account during the planning phase. For example, safety and security within the site, maintenance of the area and the city’s long-term strategy in dealing with alien invasive plants in and around the park,” he added.
During the site preparation, the department was joined by some community members on multiple walkabouts to remove any animals, particularly chameleons from the site before any earthworks commenced.
“It is important for us as a community to capitalise on these development opportunities, to set in motion the possibility of developing any other unused spaces around the Bluff in the most effective and constructive manner. We will keep working closely with the city and stakeholders to ensure the Van Riebeeck conservation and recreational park is only the beginning of many future developments within the Bluff,” said Prinsloo.
