“THE Arboretum is a very special place and Paarl can be proud to have such an asset. It is indeed one of its kind in the world,” says Drakenstein Executive Mayor, Gesie van Deventer.

Unfortunately for many years it has not been secured against entry of vagrants and people with criminal tendencies and has become an unsafe place for public use and recreational purposes.

And now it is time to take back the Arboretum.

During a fact-finding outing, the Mayor, councillors and heads of department visited the Arboretum last year and are now in the process of drafting a strategic economic plan for the use of the Arboretum which will benefit the entire community.

This will include utilisation of the Arboretum, whilst reserving the botanical value and heritage for future generations.

As a first step limited security patrols will commence early in February during certain hours of the day.

Notice boards will be erected to indicate the hours of the patrols. Law-enforcement will also take place over weekends, especially during hot weather when the rivers banks are used for relaxation.

A private security company has been contracted for the first five months of this year to patrol the park. This will consist of two security guards on bicycles, with a radio or cellphone that is connected to a control room.

The times of these patrols will be from 06:00 until 09:00 and from 16:00 until 20:00 from Monday to Friday and 06:00 until 20:00 on Saturdays, Sundays and public holidays. The public is still warned to be vi-gilant when visiting the Arboretum.

This program will be expanded over a period of time to eventually cover the whole Arboretum. Safe paths for running and walking will also soon be indicated with markers.

Members of the public are invited to contact the Mayor’s Office should they wish to make a contribution, be it financial or by means of other support.

“It is my heartfelt intention to restore this amazing asset to the glory it deserves, but limited resources are a serious restraint,” said the Mayor.

As part of this strategic plan The Mayor’s office invites all interested parties and experts to make themselves available as part of an Advisory Committee to advise the Mayor about the Arboretum’s Biodiversity.

Written applications must reach her office by 20 February on fax 021 807 6228.