GEORGE NEWS - The Camphersdrift River, one of George’s most valuable urban green spaces, is set to be transformed into a continuous river park through a growing community-driven initiative aimed at improving safety, ecological health and public access.
Flowing through several neighbourhoods and linking popular recreational areas such as the Van Riebeeck Garden, the parkrun and the Rooirivierrif Sportsgrounds, the river corridor already supports a rich diversity of wildlife.
Species recorded in and around the river include bushbuck, Cape otters, Knysna dwarf chameleons and a variety of bird and rare frog species.
Despite its potential, large sections of the river remain inaccessible due to alien invasive plant growth and surface pollution. These conditions have also created hiding places that are sometimes exploited for criminal activity.
“The vision is to establish a continuous, safe and well-used river park that connects people to the river while protecting its ecological value,” said Riaan Thomson, one of the co-ordinators of the Camphersdrift River Park initiative.
The long-term plan is to develop a low-impact recreational park linking the George Botanical Garden with the Rooirivierrif Sportsgrounds. Proposed features include safe pathways, river crossings, benches, bins, lighting, bird-viewing spots and, where feasible, CCTV cameras. A key focus of the project is encouraging community involvement in the ongoing care and management of the river.
George Municipality has acknowledged the importance of the Camphersdrift River for both flood management and recreation.
The river has been identified as a priority area in the recently completed Gwaiing River Management Plan.
While detailed planning and statutory approvals are still under way, practical work has already begun. The Dormehlsdrift Neighbourhood Watch plans to open the first 150m pathway to improve access for alien vegetation clearing, litter removal and crime prevention.
Scouts and Girl Guides will soon begin monitoring water quality with support from the Garden Route Dam Action Group, to establish a baseline and track improvements over time.
A clean-up on Monday 26 January saw learners from Up with Downs School, alongside volunteers from the Western Cape Department of Environmental Affairs and Development Planning, the Respect the Rivers Project and municipal workers, remove 36 bags of refuse from a single section of the river.
“These clean-ups are about more than litter removal,” said Thomson. “They help people reconnect with the river and take ownership of this shared space.”
Community members may follow updates on the Camphersdrift River Park Facebook page or contact Thomson on 084 800 2323 or [email protected].
Volunteers assist with picking up litter.
Large sections of the river remain inaccessible due to alien invasive plant growth, litter and criminal activity.‘We bring you the latest Garden Route, Hessequa, Karoo news’
