Sandton Central Park, located on the corner of 5th Street and Grayston Drive, was officially handed over to Sandton Central Management District (SCMD) by Johannesburg City Parks on March 11th 2011. Standard Bank has been secured as the sponsor for the work to be carried and upgrades to this park and this sponsorship was serviced by Smile Media.

SCMD, through its parties will ensure that this space, which forms one of the last green lung areas in the district, undergoes developments that are done responsibly for the benefit of the whole community.

The park received a R400 000 upgrade in 2008 from City Parks, which included the installation of a palisade fence, paving, relaying of lawns and eviction of vagrants. The private and public partnership will further upgrade the park with an amphitheatre, sculptured garden area, benches and an additional 48 indigenous trees.

The idea is to create an open space which the public can enjoy. With the intention of turning this into an ideal open space where office staff can enjoy their lunch breaks and families their weekends

Over the next four year period, SCMD, Johannesburg City Parks Standard Bank and City of Joburg will be working closely together to oversee that all aspects of the approved plan for this investment is carried out in the approved manner. This would include driving the planned development on a monthly basis, liaising with all relevant parties to ensure they are updated as to progress and requirements, and ensuring minimal impact on the surrounding communities for the duration of the project.

To date the SCMD have already achieved some strong milestones, which included obtaining the required council approval for the project, as well as working with the council directly to facilitate the signing up of a sponsor, and installing the advertising hoarding for the sponsor, Standard Bank, which will be up for a period of 12 months.

This is the second open green space that SCMD has managed to secure in terms preserving and maintaining. The other is a tiny green space on Fredman Drive. The SCMD has had previous experience in this field, having worked on previous rehabilitation projects

"We believe the end result will be a park for both the workers and residents of Sandton Central," says Paul van Rooyen of SCMD. "It's within walking distance of Sandton City, Sandton Sun, Intercontinental Hotel and two residential units - and there are several businesses close by, such as South African Breweries."

Sandton Central Park is: "an undulating park that backs two major residential developments", according to http://www.sandtonexclusive.com/activities/do.html. New residential developments abutting the park, called Sandhurst Towers and Sandhurst Gardens, will be completed soon. The owners have indicated a willingness to participate in the project.

Sculptures or special entrances to the park combined with art or decorations around the park are planned to attract curiosity.

A theme or 'big idea' is to be developed to give the entire project impetus and make sense of its outcome. As the primary users are likely to be residents from the adjacent areas, both adults and children, and office employees wanting "time out", a theme or an approach that manages to accommodate both groups is sought. The theme 'for children of all ages' is being considered.

Natural 'landscape-shaped' seating areas set under shade are planned, along with 'special places' such as an area set aside for children, game infrastructure, and meditation areas.