Summer poses maintenance challenges

Johannesburg City Parks and Zoo, the custodians responsible for maintaining parks, street trees, conservation areas and cemeteries are appealing for patience from residents as it resolves its seasonal backlogs.

“We’re appealing to residents to please be patient as we methodically work towards resolving the peak summer maintenance backlogs,” said Sakhile Maphumulo, general manager for regional maintenance.

Maphumulo said summer rains significantly affect City Parks and Zoo’s ability to deliver efficient service. This is largely due to the warm and wet weather which:

– Accelerates the growth of long grass, shrubs and trees;

– Impedes work schedules as employees are not authorised to operate machinery in the rain;

– Hinders contractors as it is not cost-effective to commission work in the intermittent rain;

– Results in operator downtime as the overgrowth places extra pressures on machinery;

– Increases the time it takes to maintain open spaces with long overgrowth;

– Generates an increase in the number of residents requesting street tree pruning; and

– Boosts the number of visitors to the city parks, resulting in added strain on playground infrastructure and increased bylaw transgressions such as littering and illegal parking.

The seasonal challenges are further related to an ever-increasing portfolio of public open spaces.

Johannesburg City Parks and Zoo is appealing to residents to look after pavements next to their homes; this will go a long way towards alleviating some of the pressures on the maintenance team and help them attend to problems on time.

This will also allow City Parks and Zoo to focus on parks, cemeteries and street trees that require more specialised maintenance services.

Johannesburg City Parks and Zoo commends residents who are going the extra mile and have maintained and beautified their verges.

Residents needing assistance with maintenance can call (011) 375-5555 or email jcp@jhbcityparks.com