Families walking past Rocky Street this week saw something they hadn’t seen in years: trucks hauling away rubbish, fences being repaired, and workers restoring the Ferndale Arboretum Bird Sanctuary. After years of neglect, the greenbelt is finally being rehabilitated.

Background

The sanctuary had become unsafe, with vagrants and recyclers building makeshift dwellings and leaving waste that polluted the river. Residents repeatedly reported the decline, pressing the city to act.

Their persistence paid off when Johannesburg City Parks, ward councillors, and community members launched a five‑day clean‑up starting May 18, 2026.

The Challenge

Broken fencing left the sanctuary exposed after Johannesburg Water carried out sewer repairs. Without protection, the space was quickly overtaken. What was once a haven for birdlife and residents became a dumping ground.

Turning Point

Ward 104 councillor Emi Koekemoer and urban inspector Nokthula Ngobese coordinated the clean‑up. In the first two days alone, 28 truckloads of waste were removed. City Parks supplied machinery, while residents sponsored trucks and fence repairs. The illegal dwellings were demolished, and litter picking continued daily.

Impact

The sanctuary is already looking better than it has in years. Restoring the greenbelt means more than aesthetics; it protects the river ecosystem, provides a safe space for birdwatching, and gives residents a place to walk, relax, and reconnect with nature. Community involvement has been central, proving that persistence and collaboration can reclaim public spaces.

Practical Details

• Location: Ferndale Arboretum Bird Sanctuary, Randburg

• Timeline: Clean‑up began May 18, 2026, expected to finish May 22

• Stakeholders: Johannesburg City Parks, Ward 104 councillor Emi Koekemoer, urban inspector Nokthula Ngobese, residents

• Next steps: Fence repairs, ecological rehabilitation, and community‑led conservation projects

The Bottom Line

The Ferndale Arboretum Bird Sanctuary is being reclaimed for residents and wildlife. What was once unsafe and polluted is now on track to become a revitalised greenbelt. The clean‑up shows that when communities push, and cities respond, neglected spaces can be transformed into places of pride again.