The plantation section Lower Tokai enjoys extensive use by families, horse-riders, cyclists, joggers and dog-walkers. By comparison the core conservation site with its narrow paths and dense but endangered Cape Sand Fynbos is mostly ignored for recreational purposes . Squeezed into the approximately 26ha plantation area, which is perceived to be safe as a result of the visibility provided by the pines, users have come to accommodate and respect each other – and share the same concerns for an area of safe multi-purpose recreation.
Following the brutal murder of Franziska Blöchliger in March 2016, a critical focus for Tokai Park is “Safety First!”
Vision
Creation of a community and environment-focused urban greenspace/parkscape that meets both people and biodiversity needs.
The greater area will offer opportunity for sun and shade, biodiversity conservation, culture and heritage, social upliftment, tourism, education and above all, safe recreation to meet the needs of existing and new users of the Lower Tokai Park area (the entire area within the 4km bike/walking track).
The afforested area will serve as a critical buffer between pristine biodiversity and the urban interface – particularly as regards fire impact on the urban edge.
Mission
- Working with the greater community, including SANParks, SANBI, the City, local neighbourhood watches and other interested and affected stakeholder groups and NPOs, to create an area of open, shaded and safe recreation and conservation for all, which also assists in mitigating climate crisis and the associated increased need for urban forestry and urban trees.
- Accommodate the needs of all community members – indigenous peoples, conservationists, ramblers, dog walkers, horse-riders, runners, cyclists, families.
- Ensure the community’s rights to health and well-being in the area.
- Strive to create an inclusive community enterprise that breaks down existing social barriers by working with other interested and affected stakeholders.
- Create safe children’s play and adventure areas.
- Create an indigenous garden of remembrance using a labyrinth for reflection.
- Create a shaded grassed area for picnics and events.
- Identify and create areas for parking.
- Create a working medicine garden for traditional healers from the First Nations People , working with experts in this field.
- Create and maintain heritage and cultural programmes, particularly as pertains to First Nations People.
- Create educational awareness within the Park pertaining to biodiversity, conservation, culture and heritage and climate mitigation.
- Provide opportunities for local and national tourism.
- Create employment and opportunities for community members, particularly those from Westlake.
- Provide opportunities for social upliftment through a Westlake-focussed craft market and the working herb and medicine garden.
- Retain stands of existing pines as a shade canopy between which indigenous Afrotemperate species can be grown. This buffer zone to be adjacent to a parallel strip of low, fire-proof ground-cover juxtaposed to the central core of Cape Flats Sand Fynbos.
- Create good visibility below 3 m and at the same time reduce fire risk beneath the treed canopy.
- Create low growing fynbos “gardens” between the perimeters of the “forested” and core conservation area.
- Protect and preserve critically endangered Cape Flats Sand Fynbos contained within the existing central and northern sections of the park, while ensuring suitable density and height restrictions.
- Protect and preserve existing fauna.
- Protect, preserve and maintain riverine corridors.
- Provide safety for users through visible patrolling, wider paths, viewing platforms and analytic cameras.
- Provide protection to the urban edge from crime and fire.
- Maintain several wide paths suitable for emergency vehicle access and horse riders.
- Retain and maintain existing perimeter path for joggers and other users.
Layout of the Lower Tokai vision
