Johannesburg City Parks continues to tackle the disparities in open space development with added momentum and urgency, than was demonstrated during the WSSD in 2002.

37 projects, including 8 new park developments, 17 park upgrading programmes, 8 cemetery improvements and 4 conservation upgradings were undertaken in 2004, totaling R16million. Urban greening also benefited with the planting of over 2118 trees along main arterials and secondary routes in July and December 2004 while, urban conservation got the green light with the reintroduction of big game including zebras, hartebeest, blesbok and dussies into some of our nature reserves.

This excludes the regular maintenance-cycles of over 48 million sqm of developed parks, 36 million sqm of undeveloped parks, 1.7 million sqm of water surfaces, 15.7 million sqm of nature reserves, 17.75 million sqm of verges and road islands, 55million sqm of sidewalks, 10.9 million sqm of cemeteries, and over 1.5 million street trees. Johannesburg City Parks is also faced with the impact of urbanization - in 2004 Joburg’s horticultural terrain increased from 180 million sqm to over 185 million sqm.

In 2005 City Parks will treble delivery. 47 projects totaling over R60million will be delivered. Key projects include the development of two new cemeteries that will adequately meet the burial needs in Johannesburg for the next two decades and the design and consultation phase of a memorial in tribute to fallen struggle heroes. Additional funding of R16million for 9 other community projects is also currently being finalized.

The heightened awareness of the importance of developing sustainable environments through collective participation by all stakeholders has never been more evident than in recent times in the City. Johannesburg City Parks applauds communities for their support in building a healthy City.