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.
The City of Johannesburg is facing scrutiny over a proposed plan to privately lease portions of Rhodes Park in Kensington. The Johannesburg Property Company (JPC) has circulated an internal notice regarding the lease of Erf 2836, a 221,372m² property comprising Rhodes Park, valued at R46.9-million. The proposal, which aims to ensure continued revenue and reduce the risk of dilapidation, has sparked a residents' petition and renewed debate about the city's handling of public parks and sporting land.
Concerns have been raised about the potential loss of green space, the impact on active sports clubs, and the possibility of commercial operators restricting access and damaging the park's character. The City of Johannesburg has clarified that the entire park is not being offered for lease, but the details of which sections will be privatized remain unclear.
Ward 66 councillor Carlos da Rocha has expressed his concerns about the proposal, requesting clarification on the specific areas that will be leased.
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