Johannesburg City Parks and Zoo (JCPZ), the City of Johannesburg’s entity responsible for greening, horticultural, and maintenance services, has implemented targeted maintenance schedules to address seasonal backlogs caused by recent heavy rains.
JCPZ oversees more than 20,000 hectares of green open spaces across Johannesburg, including flagship parks, conservation areas, a botanic garden, 134 conservation sites, 38 cemeteries, 3 crematoria, and the Joburg Zoo. This vast network also includes an estimated 3.6 million street trees, wetlands, water bodies, river trails, and the ongoing management of invasive plant species. As part of its mandate, the entity plays a vital role in ensuring that Johannesburg’s green lungs are properly maintained, enhancing air quality and promoting the well-being of residents.
Since October 2025, JCPZ’s emergency response teams have swiftly addressed over 420 fallen trees during the peak storm season, with teams across all seven regions working diligently to assist residents affected by the severe weather. While the holiday season and staffing challenges have presented some difficulties, JCPZ has continued to deploy its resources to tackle critical tasks such as tree pruning, grass cutting, and public space maintenance.
The unpredictable nature of this season’s weather patterns has further strained the entity’s ability to meet its regular maintenance schedules. Inclement conditions, particularly heavy rains, disrupt machine operations, resulting in delays in service delivery. Despite these challenges, JCPZ remains committed to optimizing its performance in collaboration with contractors to deliver services timeously.
As a municipality at the forefront of urban greening, Johannesburg must maintain and protect its green spaces as essential environmental assets. Green spaces, such as parks and tree-lined streets, are critical to enhancing air quality, combating the urban heat effect, and providing recreational areas for the city’s growing population. These spaces, often referred to as the city’s “green lungs,” require ongoing upkeep to continue providing these vital ecosystem services. The efforts of JCPZ to keep these spaces healthy and thriving directly impact the overall quality of life for all Joburg residents.
Residents are encouraged to visit the JCPZ website at www.jhbcityparksandzoo.com to view maintenance schedules specific to their areas. JCPZ’s teams, alongside contractors, are prioritizing critical service delivery needs during this peak period, despite ongoing challenges presented by weather conditions.
Residents can assist in alleviating pressure on municipal services by maintaining grass verges adjacent to their properties, helping keep Johannesburg clean, green, and litter-free. The City also urges residents to report illegal dumping, domestic waste in public spaces, illegal tree removal, and any other transgressions in line with the City’s by-laws.
“We understand the vital role that green spaces play in improving the quality of life for our residents. Johannesburg City Parks and Zoo is committed to maintaining these spaces and ensuring that our city remains a place where nature thrives alongside urban development,” said Thanduxolo Mendrew, Managing Director of JCPZ.
For any enquiries, tree-related issues, or to report maintenance concerns, residents are encouraged to log a call using the Joburg Connect Call Centre at 011 375 5555 or 0860 56 2874 or email joburgconnect@joburg.org.za. Additional customer care options are available at https://www.jhbcityparksandzoo.com/customer-care.
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