Johannesburg City Parks and Zoo is set to cut and clean streets and parks in Vrededorp on Wednesday, 26 February 2020 and is inviting volunteers to come out with their gloves and rakes to help reclaim the integrity of this historical area.
The blitz operation comes on the heels of transforming three neglected spaces into award-winning parks in Vrededorp, which won six prestigious awards for innovative design and quality workmanship at the South African Landscapers Institute (SALI) in 2019.
The popular Katjiepeiring, Leeuwbekkie and Cosmo Circle parks boast multifunctional playground equipment, landscaped lawns, rubberized surfaces and creatively themed park furniture.
In an effort to continue its greening mandate, the Member of the Mayoral Committee for Community Development, Councillor Margaret Arnolds will once again lead the 5th JCPZ clean-up operation, after 4 successful blitzes at the Joburg Zoo, Alexandra, Eldorado Park, and in Midrand, since early January.
In partnership with sister entities, JCPZ will be joined by the Joburg Roads Agency, Pikitup and Social Development in tackling long grass on sidewalks, dense shrubs, tree pruning, litter picking, repairing potholes, repainting road markings, skoffeling and removing unsightly illegal dumping in the area. As part of its integrated operational plan JCPZ has included an environmental education programme targeting residents and learners, and a visible bylaw enforcement plan led by the Park Rangers together with JMPD.
Eight teams of over 150 workers will be placed at various spots throughout the area to address service delivery shortfalls.
Residents are urged to take ownership and to clean and beauty the verges in front of their homes. They may also join the brush-cutting teams by raking and bagging the cut grass during the operation. Support teams will be on hand as well.
“Residents deserve higher standards of service delivery, however we all need to take collective responsibility for public spaces,” said Councillor Margaret Arnolds, Member of the Mayoral Committee for Community Development in the City of Johannesburg.
Councillor Arnolds thanked residents who continue to take pride and ownership of their parks and their front lawns. This is despite the pockets of areas where vandalism and illegal dumping is rife.
To join any of the blitz operations in your area, send an email with your company or individual details to trees@jhbcityparks.com.
