City Parks' solution for managing parks and sidewalks

By Marthe van der Wolf
27 September 2007

The City Parks department says it found a solution for managing the rapid growth of grass and weeds in parks and sidewalks. They say it creates a dilemma for the department every year whether the areas should be mowed or the wild flowers should be left undisturbed for the enjoyment of residents.

This year the challenge is believed to be far greater as a result of the extremely wet weather that hit the city during the past winter. The above average rainfall has caused prolific growth of all plants.

"What the department has done, is they have identified certain areas where we’re going to leave the flowers and in certain areas it will be cut," says Felix Barends, manager of technical support of the City Parks department.

The department has contracted external contractors to catch up on the backlog. "With this we hope to make the parks and sidewalks again tidy and properly maintained," says Barends.

For concerns about uncut grass in parks and sidewalks, call 021 400 34 39.