RENT VS RECREATION: Which parks are next? Joburg silent as Rhodes Park row grows
A new plan by the City of Joburg to privately lease portions of Rhodes Park has sparked a residents’ petition and renewed scrutiny of Joburg’s treatment of public parks and sporting land. From Field and Study Park to Mushroom Farm and the Killarney Country Club, communities are questioning who gets rights over some of the city’s most valuable recreational spaces – and on what terms.
A contentious debate has erupted in Johannesburg over the proposed private leasing of portions of Rhodes Park. The City of Johannesburg's plan to lease six areas of the historic park, valued at R46.9 million, has prompted residents to launch a petition demanding the protection of the green space. The six proposed leasing areas include the dilapidated restaurant, former bowling club, soccer grounds, a community facility, former Junior Traffic Training Centre, and the tennis club.
Critics argue that commercial operators could restrict access, harm mature trees, and threaten the character of the park, which serves as a significant recreational area for the northeastern suburbs. The City of Johannesburg maintains that the leasing would continue to generate revenue and prevent the park's infrastructure from deteriorating, but has not disclosed the specific locations that will be privatized.
Written by urgent.news from Daily Maverick's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
