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aligned, taking into consideration the
external feeder routes;
• artwork to a ‘dead’ wall on the eastern
end of the park. Unity Murals applied
beautiful colour to this boundary wall,
enhancing a fairly dark corner;
• the inclusion of picnic tables and
benches;
• the re-instatement of lawn and suitable
plant species in flower beds, and the
introduction of new, indigenous trees.
Old trees were pruned and crowns lifted;
• the existing fence on the Keyes Avenue
interface was in a poor state and routed
around the old parking area. This was
replaced with a new boundary fence
and wall with similar architectural
A “dead wall” on the dark, eastern boundary of the park was enhanced by a colourful mural
language to that of the park across the
street. Access gates were aligned with
the pedestrian routes inside the park
and external feeder routes; During a walk through the apartment • the facebrick of the park’s wall matches
• in addition to the park upgrade, building and the adjacent park, Fohren that of a building across the road;
maintenance responsibility was made the following points: • planting in the park has been done in
offered for a period of five years. This • plant beds at street level are shaped to swathes as opposed to straight lines;
includes the upkeep of landscaping and mimic the shape of the building itself, • there is a four metre fall from the top of
infrastructure, as well as locking the park following a zig-zag type of pattern; the park to the street, and gentle berms
between 6pm and 6am. This has proved • drip irrigation has been installed for were constructed to slow down the flow
effective in discouraging vagrants from plants throughout the building; of stormwater;
re-establishing themselves in the park. • screen planting is used on the various • water is channelled to underground
Although the park is a public facility, levels; tanks for storage, eliminating the need
activities contravening public bylaws • on level 21, the clubhouse and pool to use municipal water.
must be discouraged; are for use by all residents – plants in
• the above proposal had to go through this area are hardy and wind resistant As per the contract with Redefine, FSG
a process of obtaining technical input as the area is very exposed. Juncus Landscaping has a three year maintenance
from JCPZ, environmental input on krausii, Chondropetalum, Kniphofia contract for the park, after which it will be
identifying trees for removal (City of praecox, Agapanthus and Dietes have taken over by JCPZ. LSA
Joburg: Compliance Monitoring and been planted on the outer edge of a
Enforcement) and public participation transparent enclosure wall;
with various community action forums • due to the fact that work was undertaken Project Team
such as JUFA (Johannesburg Urban at this high level, the staff members • Client and Developer: Redefine
Forest Alliance), RAG (Rosebank Action involved underwent specific training Properties
Group) and the Johannesburg Heritage and medical checks, working under the • Architects: Paragon Group
Foundation. Based on inputs received, supervision of a health and safety officer • Landscape Architects: The Ochre Office
the park design was updated and an to ensure that they were medically fit to • Landscape Contractors: FSG
‘adoption agreement’ was entered into work at such heights; Landscaping
by Redefine and JCPZ.

Landscape installation
This was undertaken by Elton Fohren
of FSG Landscaping, whose biggest
challenge was the fact that plant material
had to be carried up manually onto the
various levels. Only at levels 20 and 21 was
a tower crane allowed to be used. “There
was no space for a mobile crane to be set
up, so all plants, soil and potting mix was
carried up by hand. We had a labour force
of 25 people, forming a chain and passing
bags to each other,” he explains.
In addition, the deadlines imposed by the
main contractor were strict and for this
reason, Fohren and his team were required
to begin work on site three months before
their actual commencement date.

Pathways and seating walls in the upgraded park encourage both movement and relaxation

Landscape SA • Issue 92 2020 11