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 as attempts to purchase additional stands, all delayed construction on the site. This resulted in extreme time challenges for The Johannesburg Development Agency (JDA), the Design Team and the contractor. As a tight budget had been allocated for the implementation of the Park, materials and existing play equipment were recycled 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 and children’s ablution. The Park incorporates a rubber surfaced netball field, five a side soccer pitch, practice basketball court and two play areas.
Bertrams Park
Design Company: Newtown Landscape Architects
Chief Designer: Johan Barnard
Design Team: Petra de Nobrega
Ntokozo Msimang
Client: Johannesburg Development Agency
Project Manager: Archway Projects
Professional Team: Albonica Sack Mzumara Architects and Urban Designers
MMA Architects
Temba Consulting
UWP Consulting
Walker Mare Quantity Surveyors
Selanya Consulting Engineers
Contractors: Rainbow Construction
Earthforce Landscapes
Photography: Johann Matthysen
