With the good rain during winter and expected warmer weather in spring, large parts of Public Open Spaces (POS) and parks will soon see thousands of early Spring flowers blooming. The City of Cape Town’s Recreation and Parks Department is therefore again embarking on its annual Spring season readiness drive, which will run from August to the end of November.
Consequently, mowing will be suspended in selected POS, parks, green belts and road verges that have been identified as special portions of land that contain important vegetation across the metropole.
The drive that has been running for a couple of years aims to protect ecological processes that promote the growth of distinctive fynbos vegetation as well as bring nature to your doorsteps. A number of POS are conservation corridors, connecting to other open spaces, conservation areas, nature reserves and national parks. This ensures a healthy network of interconnected corridors and biodiversity stepping stones to larger biodiverse areas. When flowering the areas will display fields of colour with a variety of Spring flowers, which residents can enjoy. Flowers are essential to the pollination process of most seed-producing plants. During this time a variety of birds, butterflies, moths and bees are also on display.
Due to current weather patterns flowers started to bloom earlier than expected this year, with some already showing their impressive colours.
Once the flowers have produced adequate seeds towards the end of the Spring-season readiness period, routine mowing maintenance schedules can resume. The normal mowing schedule in parks and public open spaces will begin at the end of November.
“This initiative will give thousands of flowers the opportunity to show their colours,” said Mayco Member for Community Services and Health Councillor Patricia van der Ross, “but also highlights the City’s efforts to adapt to a more environmentally friendly and sustainable mowing practice in Cape Town. Each year we are delighted to see so many public spaces covered in beautiful flowers.”
The Recreation and Parks Department also plays an active role in creating awareness, educating and sensitising internal and contractor staff to requests from residents to limit the risk of accidental mowing.
Residents can apply for their community park or portions of green spaces in their area to be added to the list.
Residents are encouraged to submit applications by e-mail to: RP.Enquiries@capetown.gov.za with the location, some evidence of flowers and support from neighbours living in close proximity to the area.
Among the listed areas with high biodiversity value that are to be partially mowed, and where mowing will be suspended, is:
- Onse Jan Park in Onse Jan Avenue, Somerset West.
Listed for mowing to be halted or partially halted between August and November are:
- Louis Botha Park in Louis Botha Street, Somerset West;
- Lyon Park in Lyon Street, Somerset West;
- Pienaar Park in Pienaar Street, Somerset West;
- Pyracantha Park in Pyracantha Street, Somerset West;
- Immelman Park in Immelman Street, Somerset West;
- Louw Park Louw Street, Somerset West;
- Slabbert Park in Slabbert Street, Somerset West;
- Windsor Park, Windsor Street, Somerset West; and
- Da Gama Community Park, on the corner of Da Gama and Fagan Street, Strand.
