The parks department of the local authority , Johannesburg City Parks and Zoos , has conceived a marketing campaign known as ‘ Extreme Parks ’. The name relates to the final makeover event which involves the community and dignitaries in installation activities showing the park being ‘ completed in one day ’. The ‘ day ’ in March 2015 at Rotunda Extreme Park was captured by the media and allowed the final installation process , supervised by landscape contractor Tswellapele Plants and assisted by JCPZ employees , to be witnessed by the public .
The brief to landscape architect Johan Hosten was to upgrade the 100 year old park ( built in 1890 ) in order to uplift the area in southern Johannesburg and improve the quality of the lives of the local people . Public safety was considered very important and subsequent to the redesign , largely because the park is popular with all ages and there is continual surveillance , but also because of certain design elements , vagrants have been discouraged and the park has been almost free of vandalism . Amongst other facilities which encourage the whole family to visit , there is play equipment for children of all ages , courts for various sports and outdoor gym equipment for older children and adults . The ablution facilities have been upgraded but owing to the heritage status of the building , only the interior could be renovated .
In the spirit of the park ’ s heritage , a missing plaque from an existing World War I memorial has been replaced . The character of two of the existing entrance features , which provide a sense of arrival , has been retained for its historic value . The original heavy padlock is on one of the gates . Old avenues of trees and large shade trees on lawned areas have been retained to provide a true spirit of place , and areas for relaxing . Hosten based his circular design theme on the existing name , Rotunda Park , as the site is that of a very large traffic circle .
The brief called for active and passive recreation options , and the park now has , amongst others , the following facilities with more to come in the next phase : - The existing steel skateboard ramp was repaired to ensure its structural integrity , while new ramps and surfaces were added ; the structures were repainted and colourful graffiti , such as the picturesque skyline of Johannesburg , were added by young local artists . The ramp is also used by BMX cyclists .
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