Dear Birdhaven Residents, 31.08.2015
JAZZ ON THE LAKE IN BIRDHAVEN
It is with regret that I have to inform you that the City of Johannesburg and City Parks have decided on very short notice to hold the annual Jazz on the Lake in the James & Ethel Gray Park on Sunday the 6th September 2015 instead of at Zoo Lake, the normal venue. This has occurred solely as a result of a double booking of Zoo Lake (we understand there is a road race at the Zoo Lake on that date).
We have had extensive correspondence and meetings with City of Johannesburg and City Parks, including sending them a lawyer’s Letter of Objection in which we furnished to them, inter alia, reasons as to why the venue and/or date should be changed and our various legal concerns, but they are determined to go ahead as they informed us that all the other possible venues are already booked for the 6th September. In addition, they are unable to change the date as it has been extensively advertised on the website.
The event, which is fully sponsored by the City of Johannesburg, starts at 11 a.m. and ends at 6 p.m. However, set up will commence days before but mainly on Saturday.
Most of the attendees will be bussed in to the event by Park and Ride, but there will be VIP cars allowed into Birdhaven and strict parking arrangements will be organized.
We have been advised by the City of Johannesburg that a letter regarding the event and residents’ permits are to be hand delivered to all affected residents on Monday and Tuesday of this week. We have been given a written undertaking by Jenny Moodley on behalf of City Parks that this is a once-off event in light of the double booking of the Zoo Lake and will not happen again in the Park.
We have attended an extensive briefing on the traffic flow, parking and security arrangements and have given our input to City of Johannesburg in this regard. To date, we have not received formal notification of which roads will be affected or closed. Hopefully we will receive this and we will then update you accordingly.
We have also received an undertaking from Jenny Moodley of City Parks that all waste and refuse will be cleaned up immediately after the event during the course of the 6th September and that any damage cause to the Park will be repaired by City Parks.
We therefore appeal to all residents to exercise caution on the 6th September 2015 as there will be vehicles and crowds in the Park and to be tolerant and accommodating of the huge number of visitors who will be in our suburb.
On a more positive note, we are continuously working with City Parks to repair, maintain and clean the Park, including repair of the pathways and repair of fencing. In addition, we have recently completed a clean-up process of the pavement along Melrose Street from the bridge to Tyrwhitt Avenue as well as the painting of the pre-cast wall adjacent thereto, and on the 20th of September, Skin Renewal will be conducting a CSI event in the Park involving a clean-up, the planting of trees, and the installation of benches.
Kind regards. Peter Campbell Brad Serebro