This sponsorship was serviced by Smile Media. Over the next four years, SCMD, Johannesburg City Parks, Standard Bank and City of Joburg will be working closely together in a public private partnership (PPP) to oversee that all aspects of the investment plan are carried out in an approved manner.
The park received a R400 000 upgrade in 2008 from City Parks, which included the installation of a palisade fence, paving, relaying of lawns and eviction of vagrants. The PPP will further upgrade the park with an amphitheatre, sculptured garden area, benches and an additional 48 indigenous trees. The idea is to create an open space which the public can enjoy, with the intention of turning this into an ideal open space where office staff can savour their lunch breaks and families their weekends.
This is the second open green space that SCMD has managed to secure with the objectives of preserving and maintaining public open space. The other is a tiny green space on Fredman Drive.
"We believe the result will be a park for workers and residents of Sandton Central," says Paul van Rooyen of SCMD. "It's within walking distance of Sandton City, Sandton Sun, Intercontinental Hotel and two residential units and there are several businesses close by, such as South African Breweries."
New residential developments abutting the park, Sandhurst Towers and Sandhurst Gardens, will be completed soon. The owners have indicated a willingness to participate in the project.
Sculptures or special entrances to the park combined with art or decorations around the park are planned to attract curiosity. A theme or 'big idea' is to be developed to give the entire project impetus and make sense of its outcome. As the primary users are likely to be residents from the adjacent areas, both adults and children, and office employees wanting "time out", a theme or an approach that manages to accommodate both groups is sought. The theme 'for children of all ages' is being considered. Natural 'landscape-shaped' seating areas set under shade are planned, along with 'special places' such as an area set aside for children, game infrastructure and meditation areas.
