Johannesburg, Gauteng

The Wilds park, established in 1925 between the suburbs of Houghton and Killarney in Johannesburg, had become a no-gone zone by the late 1990s. But one man’s efforts to clean it up brought new life to the park by 2017. He also made sure that the park supported multiple community interests and convinced City Park to step up on its responsibility to restore and maintain this urban green lung. It’s made the Wilds a true city gem and stands as proof that fixing things in small ways can eventually have giant positive ripple efforts. 

What was the problem?

Several violent crime reports linked to The Wilds in the late 1990s and 2000s drove the public away from an urban park known for its lush, dense trees and its various lookout points over the city. While it was still technically overseen by City Parks it fell into deeper neglect with broken park benches, paths and fountains. The foliage and trees had become overgrown, which added to the sense of being unsafe. People stayed away.

How did they fix it?

James Delaney, an artist who lived in one of the apartment blocks close to the park, needed a place to walk his dog. As a new arrival to Joburg in 2015 he was warned to steer clear of The Wilds. But he eventually chanced it anyway. What he discovered was a little used, overgrown and truly wild place, but not particularly dangerous. Delaney recognised that there was potential in bringing life back to the park. 

Single-handedly he spent weekends cutting and clearing pathways. He slowly befriended the City Parks team on site and started getting them to help with his seemingly impossible endeavour. Steadily they managed to clear more of the park, taking out invasive plants, letting light through and thinning out undergrowth. 

“We can all pitch in. If it's not completely overgrown then it's a little less spooky and people will be less scared," he said to TimesLive in 2017. 

The Wilds’ site manager Wilson Molekwa supported Delaney in his efforts. He was quoted in the same TimesLive article saying: "I love every part of the park. It's special. There was not much crime, but lots of fear.”

As an artist Delaney also turned to his creativity and installed 67 metal owl sculptures – 67 for Mandela Day - across the park that year. He then took to the media, including social media, promoting the owls making them a focal point of a visit.  

Over the past few years Delaney and City Parks have worked to fix and repaint park benches, get water features working again and continue to revive the park's indigenous plant heritage. New public artworks have been installed and an active Friends of Wilds Facebook page ensures that there are many ears and eyes on the park and more activities organised by everyday Joburgers. These include walking groups, yoga sessions, bird watching and drawing groups.   

What makes it work?

Taking a leap of faith

One man needing to walk his dog chose to calm his fears long enough to believe a forgotten park could be brought back to life. 

Starting an impossible task

Simply getting started, without a known outcome, was essential.

Collaborating

Delaney understood that once he got the project off the ground, it needed the ongoing support of the on-site City Parks team as well as City Parks management and the greater public. 

Using media and social media

Delaney took the good news of the park being restored to the media. He also built a strong social media profile for the park. It allowed the public to see the progress and sparked people’s curiosity to return to a park that’s been a well-known Joburg landmark for many decades. 

Making room for different interests

The park caters for a growing range of interest groups. This means more people can make use of the park and nurture it as “their” park. 

Making the wins count

Delaney’s efforts to revitalise the park earned him the AfriSam-SAIA Award in 2018. It helped bring in R100 000 that went towards the restoration of The Wilds.

Acknowledgements:

Author: FixLocal Reporter 

Additional articles/sources:

The Wilds: forget the scare stories & visit this Joburg gem

The Wilds given a new lease on life

Facebook: Friends of the Wilds

Photograph: Joburg.org.za