MEDIA RELEASE
03 December 2009
(for immediate release)
REBIRTH OF MUSHROOM FARM PARK
Following the completion of Gautrain-related tunnelling and construction work in this area,
Mushroom Farm Park (MFP) is being fully reinstated by Bombela Civils Joint Venture
(Bombela). This rehabilitation project is in line with Bombela’s Environmental Management
Plan (EMP) together with a complementary plan developed by the Sandton Central
Management District (SCMD), the Mushroom Farm Bird Sanctuary (MFBS), Johannesburg
City Parks (JCP) and Region E and the local ward councillors.
“Bombela has used Mushroom Farm Park as a temporary shaft over the past two years to
access the tunnel for construction works. We are proud to be driving the rehabilitation of
this green space and hope this will be a lasting legacy for the Sandton community” said
Dave van der Merwe, a Director at Bombela Civils Joint Venture.
As part of a broader urban agenda, Mushroom Farm Park helps to build healthier
communities by providing a space where people can socialise and conduct recreational
activities. The area attracts several bird species, small reptiles and water creatures.
The rehabilitation began in July with the reinstatement of the underlying infrastructure,
prior to aesthetic treatment. Representatives of Bombela and other Gautrain teams have
been involved with the process of landscaping the terrain, creating a children’s play area,
laying new pathways, installing irrigation and pathway lighting, introducing topsoil, clearing
the waterways and allocating new indigenous flora such as the Large Wild Iris (Dietes
grandiflora DC), River star (Gomphostigma virgatum (LF) Baill), Dune slack rush (Juncus
kraussii), Red-hot poker (Kniphofia), Silver grass (Miscanthus sinensis), White arum lily
(Zantedeschia aethiopica (L.) Spreng) and others.
Once fully restored, the Park will welcome residents, tourists and other school-goers and
other interest groups to enjoy an attractive natural environment – in the heart of a vibrant
city. Planned facilities will cater for bird watching, roller blading, and jogging, children,
picnicking and other outdoor facilities.
At present, there is an aerial balloon in the park, placed there by Aerial Displays, the
operators of the balloon at Montecasino, and sponsored by Hyundai. The balloon is part of
a two year contract between Aerial Displays and Johannesburg City Parks as part of the
2010 City Beautification Programme. As part of this contract, Aerial Displays will improve,
monitor and maintain the park, with 24 hour security, litter management, and waterway
cleaning. “We look forward to helping Mushroom Farm Park become a vibrant and active
public space for the community and invite the curious to come and see the balloon,” said
Aerial Displays director Francis Chikasha. Balloon rides will commence on 15th Dec at R70
a ride.
Although the balloon area may be referred to as Hyundai Sky Park, there is no renaming
of the park and it will remain Mushroom Farm Park.
The Sandton Central Management District (SCMD) and The Mushroom Farm Bird
Sanctuary (MFBS), both section 21 companies, have been working with Bombela over a
number of years to develop the master plan for the park’s rehabilitation. Over and above
this rehabilitation plan, the SCMD and MFBS have developed a long term plan to elevate
the park into a landmark green space. Working with landscape artist Strydom van der
Merwe and poets Alan Kolski Horwitz, and Ike Mboneni Muila, a plan was created using
the theme of language to create functional objects in the park and address major structural
elements of the space such as the fence and pathways. “This long term plan is ambitious
and very exciting and if we are able to raise funds, will be realised over the next two to five
years,” said Sandton Central marketing manager Cara Reilly.
The Sandton Central Management District is also working with Johannesburg City Parks
on the long-term management of the park once the Aerial Display contract with the city is
over in a joint effort to ensure the sustained management of this green space.
Local council has called a public meeting for 9th December 17:00 for 17:30 at the council
offices above the Sandton library where key stakeholders will present and the public will
have a chance to ask questions.
ends
Issued by The Sandton Central Management District
For general information contact:
Cara Reilly
Mobile: + 27 (0) 83 372 1558
Email: cara@kumsandton.co.za
For information on Bombela or the Gautrain contact:
Kelebogile Machaka
Tel: +27 (0) 11 997 8201
Cell: +27 (0) 83 725 6547
Email: kelebogile.machaka@bombela.com
For information on the balloon contact:
Francis Chikasha
Phone:
+27 (0)11 691 8400
Mobile:
+27 (0)83 649 3006
Email: francis@aerialdisplays.co.za