Making the Wilds a safe place

Originally published on 25 May 2024

The Wilds in Johannesburg is a park that used to be a scary place to visit. There were problems with stealing and people getting attacked. But now it has become a lively community park because of one person's hard work.

What was the problem?

The Wilds was known for being unsafe. Local people stayed away because they were scared of crime and poor upkeep. The park was overgrown, with broken benches, crumbling walls, and paths that were not looked after. Even the park workers were scared to go deep into the park.

How did they solve it?

James Delaney, an artist who lived nearby, decided to take back The Wilds. At first, he was unsure, but he started walking in the park with his dog, Pablo, and soon saw what it could become. In 2016, Delaney started fixing the park. He asked friends for help and raised money online, giving his art as rewards.

To bring people to the park, Delaney put 67 colourful metal owl sculptures all over, even though some thought they would be stolen. The owls were very popular, especially with children, and people shared pictures of them on social media. Delaney kept adding more sculptures and bright benches to make the park friendly.

Because of Delaney’s action, the Wilds got 10,000 visitors each month. It was a safe and calm place in a city with many problems. Delaney's work inspired more people to improve Johannesburg and other places.

Acknowledgements:

Original article written by: Christina Lamb

Photograph supplied by: jozirediscovered

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