The Wilds could soon be getting a visitor centre, a coffee shop, and an education hub for the kids of Jozi, but backing is needed!
Johannesburg, South Africa (30 April 2026) – Local artist, sculptor and green thumb James Delaney has been restoring The Wilds in Houghton for years. He’s transformed a neglected space into one of Joburg’s most loved parks. Now he has his sights set on something even more exciting!
The Friends of The Wilds wants to build a world-class visitor centre at the park, complete with a coffee shop, bathrooms, wheelchair-accessible facilities, and an education hub for the kids of Joburg.
Architect Karen Ahrends has already donated her time to designing the building, inspired by other renowned natural spaces in South Africa such as the Kirstenbosch Botanical Gardens.
At The Wilds’ centenary celebrations in October 2024, Delaney made a public commitment alongside the MMC and officials from Joburg City Parks and Zoo to make this happen.
“The new facility would bring a world-class aspect to The Wilds, which includes having a top quality education resource for all the kids of Joburg. To teach them about conservation and about plants and the natural world, about geology and history. The centre would bring that amazing educational side to the people of Joburg and to The Wilds,” James tells us. “It’s an extraordinary place with 40 acres of indigenous plants. There’s nothing else quite like it in the city.”
There’s also the exciting prospect of coffee!
“To integrate a coffee shop with the education and visitor centre means that there would be a spot where people could grab a coffee on their way into The Wilds or grab a refreshment after a long walk or hike. That’s an important part of caring for visitors and making them feel welcome when they’re here.”
There are promising signs on the fundraising front, including engagement with a funder who recognises the project’s educational value. At the moment, two people are needed to take the project to the next critical phase, and both roles are pro bono at this stage.
A quantity surveyor to cost the plans, and an accountant or financial planner to build a financial model for long-term viability. If that’s you, or you know someone, please reach out to Friends of the WIlds or James directly. Beyond professional skills, there is also a greater need.
“We need help on the fundraising side, too. People who work for companies that may have funds available for different kinds of projects which might include education or might include conservation or the natural world should please consider helping us make those connections! As the trustees of the Friends of the Wilds, we are volunteers, and we’re trying our best to fundraise, but it’s quite an arduous job. We’d appreciate any help.”
The Wilds has always been built on community. From the days of James working through overgrown paths to restore the space to dozens of volunteers joining weekend clean-ups and families pitching in with spades and buckets to help build new features at the park. Every improvement The Wilds has ever seen has come from people who simply love the space and want to make it even better!
If you’d like to get involved, contact friendsofthewilds@gmail.com.
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