Page 14 - LandscapeSAIssue114

PROJECT

The Wilds was used as a point of reference
to show the need for green spaces in the
city. Its stone benches, winding pathways
and plants prompted many of the design
elements at Indwe Park.

Other elements built into the design of
the park include a reflexology path and
earthing lawn. Delaney says that the
reflexology path with its uneven surface is
good for balance, for the muscles of the feet
and for bringing attention to the present.
He chose specific indigenous, medicinal
plants to bring about awareness of their
healing powers, used by different cultural
groups in various ways throughout
southern Africa. Some examples include
the Coral Tree, Pineapple Lily, Wild Dagga,
Wild Verbena and Wild Garlic.

Delaney says that art can play a critical
role in drawing attention to nature. Before
he started placing the metal sculptures
of owls, monkeys, kudu and giraffe at The
Wilds, few people visited it. The sculptures
transformed the park and encouraged
people to visit, and the well-placed art
pieces drew attention to the surrounding
plants and landscape.

At Indwe Park, a number of artists were
engaged to respond to the site with artworks
that connect with the chosen theme.
Planting design
With Delaney’s focus on wellness and
healing, landscape architect Patrick Watson
and his son Jean-Paul also introduced many Tools arch by Patrick Mautloa
medicinal plants. Their landscape concept
was to connect with the ethos of the park Wellness mosaic designed by (the late) Andrew Lindsay, an artist and community activist
and design a grassy meadow with groups
of colour, along with different textures of
green and ornamental grasses that plume
at different times of the year, creating
“a sense of softness and resembling a
painting”, according to Jean-Paul.

Medicinal plants were added in between
the grasses to further integrate the
elements of art and healing. They also
restored a significant part of the site to
create a type of indigenous forest. Jean-
Paul states that the medicinal plants and
indigenous grasses serve as a contrast to
the hardness of the city in the background;
in addition, the species were chosen for
their visual appeal and educative value.
Planting was undertaken in a structured
way and is about two thirds indigenous. The
northern section of the site is a woodland-
type landscape.

Watson selected the grassland and
indigenous plants based on his experience Hard landscaping and water The water feature and associated hard
of working at the 30 acre site of the feature landscape elements were designed by
Hollard Arcadia campus garden in nearby The extensive use of stone (quartzite) as the Pawel Gradowski of LASquare Landscape
Parktown. Yellowwood trees planted in architectural language makes a charming and Aquatic Architecture. There are several
the SA Breweries garden 60 years ago have historical connection with Parktown Ridge interconnected components, including
been retained and more are to be added, and The Wilds, where pathways and walls ‘lei’ water channels running parallel to the
together with Stinkwood and Wild Fig. are extensively clad with it. central walkway, a moat-type pond with
n

12 Landscape SA • Issue 114 2022