Panorama Residents Association’s (PRA) Panorama@Work team took on the task of clearing a once popular family park on July 30. The Excell Park that runs from the Weltevreden Methodist Church on Noupit Avenue all the way up Bergkaree Avenue to Kuils Avenue was the site of a mass clean-up and invasive plant species removal project. Treefelling ZA provided some of the heavy machinery and expertise while EC Security and Beagle Watch Security added their resources.
The chainsaws and weed-hackers arrived on site just after 07:00 and within a few hours had amassed a small mountain of invasive plant life. The areas either side of the river as it snakes through the park had become wildly overgrown, creating a dense jungle that has been used as a shelter for displaced people and posed a possible security threat for residents in the suburb.
After cutting away the invasive plant species, a blue water-soluble, paint-on herbicide known as Kaput was applied. The herbicide is made up of Picloram and Triclopyr, which are selective herbicides used to control broad-leaved weeds and once coated on, prevents the regrowth of the chopped stems. Along with the unwanted plants, several refuse bags worth of litter and alcohol bottles were cleared away by active residents.
PRA has stressed the need to make the park welcoming to families and community members who once utilised the benches and playground apparatus in the scenic park. Their aim will be to have each green belt and park within the residents association’s boundaries cared for.
Clearing the tall broad-leaved invasive species allows for added security and creates a presentable space that welcomes residents.
Original article in Roodepoort Record