The 180 with Bob breakfast team planted 180 trees in 180 minutes in Pimville Zone 3 on Wednesday the 21st of April in partnership with Johannesburg City Parks as part of unveiling an XtremePark in Pimville ahead of Earth Day. Kaya FM had recently joined Johannesburg City Parks in hosting the very successful Corporate Greening Concert to combat climate change earlier in March.

The Member of the Mayoral Committee for Environment & Corporate Services, Clr Matshidiso Mfikoe identified a 3 hectare open space to be transformed into a multi-functional park at a cost of approximately R4 million in the heart of Pimville. The park boasts a water feature, ablution facilities, 16 new state of the art playground pieces, paved walkways, 250 indigenous trees, grassed picnic areas, park furniture, a mini-soccer field, a basket ball court, rubbish bins and fencing around the parameter of the park. The project ensured that the barren playground with evidence of illegal dumping was transformed into a fully-fledged park to meet the recreational needs of adjacent communities.

The development and completion of the park saw about 50 members of the community, 30 contractors and approximately 230 City Park officials working within a 10 hour deadline to develop the park. The XtremePark Makeover concept is aimed at resolving outdoor recreation disparities in the City, encouraging community ownership and pride of green spaces and advocating healthier lifestyles.

Park development in Soweto has been accelerated in recent years, with recreation facilities such as the much lauded Thokoza Park, Diepkloof XtremePark, Dorothy Nyembe and various other community parks becoming a hive of activity after school and over weekend.