| New plan for botanical gardens |
|
|
| Written by Emily Visser | |
| Tuesday, 04 November 2008 | |
|
Comment is needed on the new master plan for Joburg's botanical gardens in Emmarentia. Under it, the gardens will increase in size, but there will be less space for dogs to be walked. 
A new plan for the Joburg Botanical Gardens is under discussion
UNDER a new master plan for the Johannesburg Botanical Gardens in Emmarentia, its size will increase by about two thirds to bring it up to standard with other botanical gardens in the country. The new sanctuary will be fenced off and have regulated access points, but entry will remain free. "It is the express intention of Johannesburg City Parks to ensure that the botanical gardens achieves its rightful status of becoming a significant attraction for both local and international visitors while at the same ensuring that such visitors do not negatively impact on this environmentally sensitive area," reads a statement released by City Parks' lawyers, Sim & Botsi Attorneys, which will be handling the public participation process. According to City Parks' spokesperson, Jenny Moodley, the entity wants to bring Johannesburg's botanical gardens in line with gardens such as Walter Sisulu and Kirstenbosch. "We want to get to a point where we start protecting the integrity of the place, showcasing what is in the garden."
A green treasure Most plant species found on the Highveld can also be seen here, confirms Senzo Nyembe, the park's curator. Only 20 percent of the park's species are indigenous but City Parks is continuously adding to the indigenous tree collection, planting suitable species such as white stinkwoods, African wild olives, karee, river bushwillows and Cape ashes. "This [garden] gives a footprint of plants in Johannesburg now." Under the new master plan the botanical gardens' growing plant collection will be boosted, with a number of new garden designs, including a muti garden, a Japanese garden and a pre-historic garden. A food garden with vegetables and fruit also forms part of the plans and plants harvested will be donated to those in need, Nyembe says. It will also have its own Eco Centre.
Walkies The master plan decreases the area open for dog walking quite drastically through erecting a palisade fence. The fence will start at the entrance gate in Orange Road, follow along the edge of the second of the two little dams in the centre, and from there cut across to the administration buildings in Thomas Bowler Street on the other side of the park. It will be the demarcation between the dog walking area - with animals on leashes as required by Joburg by-laws - and the botanical gardens, where people will still be allowed to have picnics, jog or do similar activities. The dog walking issue has been going on for years, confirms Moodley. Dog faeces, ducks dying because of being chased and trampling on vulnerable plant species are just some of the concerns for City Parks. "This is a botanical garden; it has vulnerable species," she explains. Over the years various plans have been mooted to turn the garden into a properly managed botanical facility. With the master plan, this can now be taken forward as soon as the public participation process has been completed. "We want the public not only to pass negative comments. We also want to hear from those who are for these changes," confirms Safiyah Ebrahim of the attorneys.
Comments These must be in writing and must be posted to Johannesburg City Parks, care of Safiyah Ebrahim of Sim & Botsi Attorneys Inc, Postnet Suite 53, Private Bag X7, Parkview, 2122, or dropped off at the offices of Sim & Botsi Attorneys Inc, 3 Dudley Road, Parkwood Upper. Alternatively, comments can be faxed to 011 880 3623 or emailed to This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it . Related stories: |
