| Countdown to extreme park |
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| Written by Ndaba Dlamini | |
| Tuesday, 06 May 2008 | |
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In just 24 hours, a dusty part of Diepkloof will be transformed into a pleasant green oasis, thanks to the hard work of City Parks and its partners. 
Artist's impression of the new park
A BARE piece of land along Immink Road in Diepkloof, Soweto, will be turned into a charming green lung in just 24 hours during a City Parks XtremePark Makeover on Thursday, 8 May. The project is part of City Parks' efforts to boost the number of outdoor recreation spaces in the south of Johannesburg, an area that was neglected in the past. The environmental agency's workers will labour for 24 hours to deliver a fully fenced park complete with water features and 24-hour security. A spin-off of the Extreme Homemaker television series, the project is aimed at mobilising community ownership, inspiring the City Parks workforce, showcasing the effective use of public resources and restoring the integrity of Johannesburg's public open spaces. The project will also act as a catalyst to ready Joburg's communities for the 2010 FIFA World Cup™, according to Noeleen Mattera from City Parks' marketing department. "This is the second ... Xtreme Park by City Parks, after the highly successful launch of the Wilgeheuwel XtremePark Makeover in June 2007." However, the area earmarked for development, not far from the hustle and bustle of Bara Taxi Rank, is twice the size of the first park, which is 1,22 hectares in size. Once completed, the Diepkloof XtremePark will include an amphitheatre with a screen, a soccer field, a multi-purpose court, a water feature, a splash pool, landscaped lawns, a braai area, established trees, two playgrounds, park furniture and 19 244 square metres of lawn and paving. 
The bare piece of land that will be transformed into a green lung within 24 hours
"Our target is quite ambitious and we have been assured of the presence of the Executive Mayor Amos Masondo and various key personalities and dignitaries for an early champagne breakfast on the morning of 9 May," Mattera says. The recreational disparities in places like Soweto, Eldorado Park and other disadvantaged areas urgently need projects such as the 24-hour XtremePark Makeover for community unison and for the pleasure of children, she explains. "In addition, we seek to harvest long-term support and partnerships with the private sector, therein creating opportunities and raising awareness on greening." The countdown for the Diepkloof XtremePark, which is poised to become the leading outdoor recreation hub in the southern quadrant of Johannesburg, begins on Thursday, 8 May at 6pm and ends on Friday, 9 May at 6pm sharp - with a new park ready for games.
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