Keanan Harmse
Keanan.Harmse@novusmedia.co.za
A group of environmental activists are hard at work restoring Muizenberg Park stream and wetlands to their former glory and making sure the ecosystem thrives.
People’s Post spoke with spokesperson for the Friends of Muizenberg Park (FMP), John Venn, who has been spearheading the revamp since the beginning of last month. The park is owned and managed by the City of Cape Town.
FMP is a non-profit organisation that aims to promote environmental awareness. “Muizenberg Park is a meeting place of no less than four different types of fynbos,” Venn said. “One of these, the Cape Lowlands Freshwater Wetlands, is classified by botanists as being critically endangered, as a result of urban development.
The lily pond area at Muizenberg Park before the Friends of Muizenberg Park (FMP) cleared the invasive weeds last year. 
Spokesperson for the Friends of Muizenberg Park (FMP), John Venn seen planting the first Lilly in the newly cleared pond at Muizenberg Park. 
An aerial shot of Phase 2A underway, which shows the restoration of the pond at the lower section of the stream at Muizenberg Park. PHOTOS: SUPPLIED.
“A few hundred years ago, much of Muizenberg Park would have been wetlands. The main goal of the restoration is to remove alien vegetation and introduce wetland fynbos in selected areas of the park,” Venn said.
“Not only is this improving the attractiveness of the area, but it also has meaningful conservation and biodiversity impact.
“Following the completion of Phase one in May (last year), we have seen a big increase in the number of visitors to the park, with numerous events, such as wedding photographs, picnics and even yoga classes.”
The FMP team is currently busy with Phase two of their cleaning operations at the park.
“For Phase two we will restore the pond at the lower level of the stream before it goes under the Main Road, with wetland fynbos planted on either side of the pond.
“This phase also includes removing the aloes along the path between the bridge over the stream and the clubhouse,” says Venn.
“This will eliminate the currently unusable swampy lawn area as well as open a significant area for conservation and recreation.”
People’s Post reached out to the City for comment, but it could not respond before the time of publication.
