Hurlingham Park is on the path to improvement thanks to the work of the Hurlingham Glenadrienne and Craighall committee and Skeemsaam, who have sought to rejuvenate the previously neglected green space.
Carey Else, a committee member who is spearheading the project to revive the park which is located on William Nicol Drive between St Andrews Road and Stirling Avenue met with the Sandton Chronicle to discuss her plans.
Just a few months ago, Else became aware of the numerous problems affecting the green space including illegal dumping, cable theft and displaced people residing on the land.
In August, Else met with Lisa Lowenthal, who heads up the Skeemsaam project which uplifts urban waste miners in Joburg, to devise a way forward for the park.
They urged the urban waste miners residing in the park to move to more suitable dwelling places and formed a partnership where the recyclers keep the park clean with help from residents of the area.
A recycling facility was also created, which is used by recyclers to sort through their waste without it becoming an eyesore to passersby.
“We educate the urban waste miners about the impact of litter on water systems,” said Else. “It is now a lot cleaner than it used to be. We aim to get information from the recyclers about what they do and don’t recycle so that households can sort their waste accordingly.”
She is soon to submit a proposal to the City to adopt the park as a community recreational space and seek to bring greater upliftment to the under-utilised area next year.
“I am working with a landscape artist to do a basic layout of the park and do a phased project plan to reinvigorate the park as a community recreational space.”
She would like to create a walking trail, cycling track and playground, and fence the area to protect the safety of children, and animals roaming in the park.
“Communities need to use this space to keep it beautiful, otherwise there will be degradation. I want to create in our people awareness for the environment and waterways.”
Since Else came on board, she has planted indigenous trees and rallied the community together to clean up the park during the monthly A Re Sebetseng initiatives.
Once the plan is approved, Else hopes to involve the community and local businesses in funding the upgrades.
Park users and residents are encouraged to separate their waste for recycling, pick up litter and dog droppings, and join the A Re Sebetseng cleanups on the last Saturday of every month.
The next A Re Sebetseng initiative will take place in January.
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