As part of a broader urban agenda, Mushroom Farm Park helps to build healthier communities by providing a space where people can socialise and conduct recreational activities. The area attracts several bird species, small reptiles and water creatures.

The rehabilitation began in July with the reinstatement of the underlying infrastructure, prior to aesthetic treatment. Representatives of Bombela and other Gautrain teams have been involved with the process of landscaping the terrain, creating a children's play area, laying new pathways, installing irrigation and pathway lighting, introducing topsoil, clearing the waterways and allocating new indigenous flora such as the Large Wild Iris (Dietes grandiflora DC), River star (Gomphostigma virgatum (LF) Baill), Dune slack rush (Juncus kraussii), Red-hot poker (Kniphofia), Silver grass (Miscanthus sinensis), White arum lily (Zantedeschia aethiopica (L.) Spreng) and others.

Once fully restored, the Park will welcome residents, tourists and other school-goers and other interest groups to enjoy an attractive natural environment – in the heart of a vibrant city. Planned facilities will cater for bird watching, roller blading, and jogging, children, picnicking and other outdoor facilities.

At present, there is an aerial balloon in the park, placed there by Aerial Displays, the operators of the balloon at Montecasino, and sponsored by Hyundai. The balloon is part of a two year contract between Aerial Displays and Johannesburg City Parks as part of the 2010 City Beautification Programme. As part of this contract, Aerial Displays will improve, monitor and maintain the park, with 24 hour security, litter management, and waterway cleaning. "We look forward to helping Mushroom Farm Park become a vibrant and active public space for the community and invite the curious to come and see the balloon," said Aerial Displays director Francis Chikasha. Balloon rides will commence on 15th Dec at R75 a ride.

Although the balloon area may be referred to as Hyundai Sky Park, there is no renaming of the park and it will remain Mushroom Farm Park.

The Sandton Central Management District (SCMD) and The Mushroom Farm Bird Sanctuary (MFBS), both section 21 companies, have been working with Bombela over a number of years to develop the master plan for the park's rehabilitation. Over and above this rehabilitation plan, the SCMD and MFBS have developed a long term plan to elevate the park into a landmark green space. Working with landscape artist Strydom van der Merwe and poets Alan Kolski Horwitz, and Ike Mboneni Muila, a plan was created using the theme of language to create functional objects in the park and address major structural elements of the space such as the fence and pathways. "This long term plan is ambitious and very exciting and if we are able to raise funds, will be realised over the next two to five years," said Sandton Central marketing manager Cara Reilly.

The Sandton Central Management District is also working with Johannesburg City Parks on the long-term management of the park once the Aerial Display contract with the city is over in a joint effort to ensure the sustained management of this green space.

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Source: gautrain.co.za