Artist James Delaney revived The Wilds park in Johannesburg
In Johannesburg, South Africa, artist and sculptor James Delaney, together with volunteers, revived the 16-hectare The Wilds park, which local residents had considered a dangerous place for two decades because of its connection to a series of violent crimes. The space is now described as the city’s highest-rated open public space, Daily Maverick reports.
A park between Houghton and Killarney
The Wilds is located between the Houghton and Killarney neighbourhoods. The park was opened to visitors in 1938 and declared a national monument in 1981. Later, due to low attendance and inadequate maintenance, the area managed by city authorities fell into disrepair: paths became overgrown, while benches, fountains and walkways were damaged.
Delaney moved into an apartment in Killarney overlooking the park about 15 years ago. Friends advised him not to visit The Wilds, but the artist decided to explore the area. In 2017, he began clearing paths, trimming vegetation and restoring the park. Thousands of volunteers later joined the effort.
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Sculptures as landmarks
To bring visitors back, Delaney created colourful animal sculptures in the park, while other artists installed mosaics. The Wilds now has more than 100 sculptures and 80 mosaics. According to the artist, the artworks not only added colour to the space but also became landmarks for people on the park’s winding paths.
Thousands of people visit the park every year, including women, children, religious groups and nature enthusiasts. Delaney also said he had seen golden-tailed woodpeckers and giant kingfishers there—bird species not usually encountered in dense urban development. The artist’s sculptures in The Wilds received awards from Business Arts South Africa and the South African Institute of Architects.
