December 20, 2005
By Tshepiso Seopa
WHEN you are in our territory, you play by our rules. This is the stark warning from Johannesburg City Parks to those who are planning to visit any of its parks these holidays.
This festive season City Parks will roll out its Visible Policing Plan, and is working closely with ward councillors, the South African Police Service (SAPS) and the Johannesburg metropolitan police department to ensure that no one contravenes City by-laws while at the parks.
Revellers having a good time at Zoo Lake
According to Jenny Moodley, the manager of media relations at City Parks, "Park activity generally increases quite substantially over the festive season, especially in City Parks flagship facilities, which include Zoo Lake, Rhodes Park, Innesfree Park, Florida Lake, Thokoza Park, Dorothy Nyembe, Mofolo Park, Wemmer Pan, Joubert Park and Emmarentia Botanic Gardens.
Joburg was named the Bontle ke Botho Best Performing Municipality, claiming first prize for the second time in the four years that the campaign has been running.
"We experienced a lot of problems during the past long weekend in terms of people abiding by the law - we had problems of loud music, illegal consumption of alcohol, loitering after operational hours, unauthorised Christmas parties and littering."
Moodley said that at the Emmarentia Botanic Gardens two suspects were apprehended for mugging by City Parks's private security company and officers from Parkview Police Station.
A notable menace this festive season, said Moodley, has been quad bikes. "They cause extensive damage in our parks and public open spaces." Riding quads in parks is a contravention of the public open spaces by-law. "Quad bikes cause erosion,damage to vegetation, grassed areas and small fauna. They generate noise which affects the tranquility of neighbouring residents and people picnicking in the park. This also impacts on birdlife," adds Moodley.
Parks are generally open from 6am to 6pm. "City Parks has the authority to extend the hours for special events, such as jazz concerts, flea markets etc," Moodley said.
Groups of more than 50 are urged to contact City Parks on 011 712 6600 before they go on their outing.
"Urban densification has resulted in more and more residents gravitating to parks to meet their outdoor recreational needs. City Parks is addressing the growing trend by developing parks with adequate infrastructure to meet these changing social requirements.
"However, City Parks is also heavily reliant on the assistance of all park users to value and respect our open spaces," she said.
"We also urge neighbouring communities to be mindful that most Joburgers are unwinding over the festive season and that people having fun does not translate to park misuse.
"Parks should be respected and valued for their harmony. Loud music, littering and illegal alcohol consumption are not permitted," Moodley said.
"We urge visitors to parks to be considerate of neighbouring homeowners."
By-law contraventions can be reported at SAPS stations or to the metro police on 011 375 5911.
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