Neat, mowed parks and verges or a glorious display of newly blossomed spring flowers?

That’s the choice with which the City is faced, says the Director: City Parks, Christa le Roux.

“Cape Town is once again experiencing a winter of high rainfall interspersed with periods of warm weather. And, while everyone is grateful for the way in which our dams are being filled and underground water is being replenished, such weather also promotes the germination and rapid growth of many species of wild flowers and grasses across the Metropole,” says Le Roux.

Grass and weeds, in particular, thrive under these conditions, and, almost overnight, parks and sidewalks can start looking untidy.

In addition to this, the annual spring flowers have started to make their appearance in various public open spaces and open tracts of land within the city. This sometimes causes contention - should the areas be mowed or should the wild flowers be left undisturbed for the enjoyment of residents?

Many residents and visitors to the areas where the flowers occur, contend that they should be left untouched and not mowed until the seeds have ripened and dropped. It must be emphasised, however, that this results in the grass eventually dominating the flowers. Le Roux says that, in the past, the Department curtailed the mowing of certain areas during the flowering period to allow them to bloom and shed their seeds. “This year, Parks Managers will keep mowed areas tidy as a priority. Some wild flower areas might be identified and mowed at a later date, but they will be clearly signposted”, she said. There are still many open areas throughout the city, including identified biodiversity areas or nature sensitive areas where mowing does not take place and where spring flowers can be seen.

“City Parks will closely monitor the areas that are starting to look untidy. Additional hours will be worked by staff and contractors to limit or reduce any mowing backlogs, hence the appeal to residents to be patient. City Parks is committed to prompt and effective service delivery and, under the circumstances, all efforts will be made to keep our parks and sidewalks tidy and properly maintained, “she says.

Concerns about uncut grass in parks and on sidewalks can be directed to the City Parks general enquiries number 021 400 2159.


END

ISSUED BY:
COMMUNICATION DEPARTMENT
CITY OF CAPE TOWN
TEL: 021 400 3719

MEDIA QUERIES:
CHRISTA LE ROUX
DIRECTOR: CITY PARKS
TEL: 021 400 4304 CELL: 084 629 3330