BERTRAM'S ROAD PARK

Bertrams Park, a small but highly significant park, in the dilapidated area of Bertrams, services a diverse community, particularly Bertrams Primary School which has no play or sporting facilities. Town Planning issues and approvals, as well attempts to purchase additional stands, all delayed access to the site. This resulted in extreme time challenges for the Client, The Johannesburg Development Agency (JDA) and the Design Team.

As an extremely tight budget had been allocated for design and implementation of the Park, recycling principles were employed, reusing materials and existing play equipment wherever possible.  

Following a Public Participation process, the local residents became integrally involved in beautifying their park by means of an outreach program funded by the JDA. Residents enthusiastically donated sculptures, designed “graffiti” art and created mosaic works. The school formed a committee to ensure proper ongoing maintenance of the park, with provision being made for a small caretaker’s cottage.