Van Riebeeck Park oasis takes shape
The basin shaping, along with replanting, should be finalised by the end of this year.
THE redevelopment of Van Riebeeck Park into a natural educational oasis is well on its way to becoming a reality.
The parcel of valley land along Garcin Place known as Van Riebeeck Park (VRP) lies south of Bluff’s Harlequins Sports Club.
For the past year various engagements and planning sessions were conducted with the city’s environmental planning and climate protection department (EPCPD) to redevelop VRP. Strategies had to be developed to ensure maximum benefits could be achieved for the environment through the development, which would also serve to link the project to the Bluff’s greening strategy. Innovative ideas on how space could be used for educational and eco-tourism opportunities had to be included in the design of the natural space to fully capitalise on the project’s potential.
“After consultation with key stakeholders within the community, the final design was completed. The design includes walking and running paths, bird hides, various water catchment areas, picnic spaces, lookout towers, a pet wash zone and various grasslands,” said ward 66 councillor JP Prinsloo.
READ: Bluff conservancy in the pipeline
He added the access to water on the site was vital to ensure the restoration project’s success, especially as it sustains fauna and flora. “Due to the complicated topography of the site, city engineers had to devise a fool-proof design to ensure water supply would not become a stumbling block for the development of the park. The design of a stormwater outlet was the main reason for the delayed implementation of the project,” he said.
The stormwater design was finally completed by city engineers last week and the project is set to commence within the next few weeks.
To facilitate the shaping of water basins at the site, EPCPD relocated clay from the old Clairwood racecourse. Indigenous and rare plant material was also harvested for relocation to the VRP site once the basin shaping has been concluded. The department has secured an alien invasive removal contract, to remove and replace all invasive trees and plants within the area with indigenous trees. The invasive tree removal plan will be implemented in four phases. An intensive sweep has been co-ordinated by EPCPD to relocate any chameleons and other animals which could be affected during the project. These will be returned to their natural habitat on the project’s completion.
“We have also acquired the assistance of the Urban Development Engineering department to design detailed conceptual drawings of all the recreational spaces to ensure an uniformed look and feel is created for the entire precinct. These designs will speak directly to plans and strategies being devised for the Bluff Showgrounds and the surrounding areas. By creating strategic partnerships with local tourism organisation, SODURBA and the Wildlife and Environment Society South Africa (WESSA), the long-term usage of VRP would ensure this natural space becomes another jewel in our community,” he added. “This is an exciting development for our community and could result in more services, increased tourism, improving our local economy and ultimately building a brighter, better, more beautiful Bluff.”
The basin shaping, along with replanting, should be finalised by the end of this year.
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