Parkscape

Parkscape Parkscape is a voluntary non-profit organisation with a mixed community-safety - environmental focus.

Voluntary advocacy NPO, ensuring safety, and protecting the urban forest, cultural landscapes and biodiversity in the buffer zones and wildland-urban interfaces of TMNP. Our vision is driven by the increasing incidence of crime and fire in the ever-reducing buffer zones of Table Mountain National Park, which pose a serious threat to the urban edge. The devastating fires of March 2015 (which destroyed several homes), and the Devil's Peak fire of 2021 (which caused extensive heritage damage) along with numerous smaller fires and several brutal murders, including the rape and murder of a 16 year old girl in the fynbos of Lower Tokai in 2016, together with numerous ongoing incidents of crime, highlight a critical issue of safety in the 221sq km Park. It is a problem which requires collective and community driven action. Per the Tokai-Cecilia Management Framework, negotiated between the public and SANParks in 2007, Parkscape is also acutely aware of the need for safe and shaded urban greenspace within the buffer zones, which can deliver all the benefits of green infrastructure - ecosystem services - particularly as regards physical and mental health and well-being, and some aspects of climate change mitigation - particularly as regards reducing urban temperatures, while maintaining the treed aesthetic of the cultural landscape of the Constantia-Tokai valley. TMNP is uniquely situated within an urban setting and is, as such, an urban national park and a people’s park. Unlike rural parks such as Kruger National Park, TMNP must meet a broad range of needs from conservation of the Cape Floral Kingdom and Afrotemperate forests to local user needs, particularly the needs of communities that need urban greenspace. Management strategies for the Park must therefore be specific to meeting the demands of an increasingly densified and diverse city environment, from conservation to urban greening and urban forestry for human health and well-being, climate change and sustainable city goals per the UN Sustainable Development Goals. Unfortunately local users regularly run into issues that hinge primarily around safety with respect to crime and fire, access and creeping fees, and failure to manage and maintain infrastructure and biodiversity within the Park. Increasingly locals feel excluded from “their mountain”, with the failure to sufficiently reinvest in the Park exacerbating the situation. The focus on fynbos biodiversity to the exclusion of other biodiversity - including urban forests - and the failure to effectively manage the shrinking buffer zones which lie adjacent to urban edges add to various growing problems. In light of ongoing crime in the Park, together with increased incidents of fire throughout the Park - and an historical reluctance of the SANParks to engage with the public – the vision was born to refocus activity in the buffer zones (per the original foundation documents which underpin the Park’s formation) for the people of Cape Town, starting with Lower Tokai as a potential model. Parkscape’s vision is to create safe, biodiverse and shaded (afforestation of Afrotemperate forest and non invasive exotic species) urban greenspace for all within the buffer zones of the Park, while also providing opportunities for social upliftment, community development, cultural and environmental education – all of which will ultimately serve to address safety concerns.

10-YEAR COMMEMORATIVE PATROL - SATURDAY 7 MARCH 2026Ten years ago, on Monday 7th March 2016, 16 year old Franziska Blöch...
18/02/2026

10-YEAR COMMEMORATIVE PATROL - SATURDAY 7 MARCH 2026

Ten years ago, on Monday 7th March 2016, 16 year old Franziska Blöchliger was found r**ed and murdered in the fynbos of Lower Tokai, 10m away from the edge of the plantation.

The memory is etched vividly and forever in our minds, having arrived at the forest for a dog walk to find the corner of Dennendal West Avenue and Orpen Road congested with emergency vehicles.
We knew something bad had happened, but until a member of the Kirstenhof Crime Watch walked towards us mouthing the word "Dead", we had no idea of the severity of the incident, or the horrific act of gender-based violence that had been committed.

In shock and silence we took an immediate decision, with members of the Kirstenhof Crime Watch, to reclaim the forest there and then, to walk in the eery stillness of the lingering horror that haunted our beloved forest.

On the same day, having warned SANParks in 2007 of exactly this risk, we made the decision to form Parkscape. Our vision was, and remains, to create safe, bio-diverse, open and shaded urban parks in the buffer zones of Table Mountain National Park, starting with Lower Tokai as a model.

As we commemorate the 10th anniversary of Franziska's brutal death, we continue to work and to fight for our vision, to create a safe, shaded urban sanctuary, where every girl and woman can walk, run, ride and play safely.

We have not forgotten. And we will never forget.

We invite you to join us on Saturday 7 March 2026 at 09.00 on a commemorative walk of Lower Tokai. We will meet at the Ribbon Gate, where ribbons will be supplied, before walking to the site of Franziska's cross, the exact place where she was killed. From there we will walk the perimeter of Lower Tokai, coming back to the Ribbon Gate through the forest.
All details in the poster below.

Please join Parkscape and our partners as we honour the life lost and continue the quest to create safe and shaded spaces for all.

Premier Security
Pro-Sec Technologies
Fidelity ADT
SANParks - Table Mountain National Park
SANParks Honorary Rangers
SAPS and Reservists
City of Cape Town Law Enforcement and Metro Equestrian Unit
Ward 71 News
KCW - Kirstenhof Crime Watch
Constantia Watch
Kirstenhof Community Police Forum
Tokai Neighbourhood Crime Watch
Women of Westlake Village Child Protection Organization
Westlake Neighbourhood Watch
Table Mountain Watch
K9 Trailing
Constantia Hills RA and Community Watch
Tokai Residents’ Association
KERA - Kirstenhof and Environs Residents' Association Page
Tokai District Riding Association
Village Neighbourhood Watch
Lakeside Community Watch
Women For Change

Blisteringly hot summer days... And oh the blessed relief of a cool forest in the gentle dusk of evening. As temperature...
17/02/2026

Blisteringly hot summer days... And oh the blessed relief of a cool forest in the gentle dusk of evening.

As temperatures increase and our city densifies, so increasingly rare - and deeply special places - like become priceless.

With the Draft Park Management Plan now released (it's available on the TMNP website) and making no mention of the future of the forest, the onus lies with all of us to fight for what we hold dear.

What a beautiful cool morning in Lower Tokai, with the mist swirling around , until the sun slowly appeared and made it...
17/02/2026

What a beautiful cool morning in Lower Tokai, with the mist swirling around , until the sun slowly appeared and made its presence felt.

True words... 🌳🌲
16/02/2026

True words... 🌳🌲

Trees are not just beautiful beings; they’re true companions. Just like Bob Ross said, there’s absolutely nothing wrong with having a tree as a friend. They offer shade, calm, and a sense of peace—standing tall with you through every season. 🌳💚

The appeal of Lower Tokai lies in the fact that it offers something for everyone. Whether you are seeking shelter from t...
15/02/2026

The appeal of Lower Tokai lies in the fact that it offers something for everyone. Whether you are seeking shelter from the wind, shade from the sun, swims for your dogs, somewhere for a peaceful walk, Lower Tokai has it all. A unique space that offers so much on so many different levels.

Our next will take place on Saturday 28 February in partnership with Premier Security and community partners. We will ...
15/02/2026

Our next will take place on Saturday 28 February in partnership with Premier Security and community partners.
We will meet at 08.45 for an 09.00 start at the Ribbon Gate, corner Dennendal West Avenue and Orpen Road.
Bring along the kids and dogs (leash and activity permit required for dogs) and join us for a gentle 3 - 4 km walk around Lower Tokai and Tokai Forest.

The Parkscape Visible Safety Patrol is a core part of the Parkscape's (which you can read more about on our website at https://parkscape.org.za/safety/crime-management/)

We look forward to seeing you along with our friends and partners on the 28th!

SANParks - Table Mountain National Park
SANParks Honorary Rangers
SAPS and Reservists
City of Cape Town Law Enforcement and Metro Equestrian Unit
Kirstenhof Community Police Forum
Tokai Neighbourhood Crime Watch
KCW - Kirstenhof Crime Watch
- Lakeside Community Watch
Village Crime Watch
Constantia Watch
Constantia Hills RA and Community Watch
K9 Trailing
Tokai District Riding Association
Ward 71 News
Table Mountain Watch

All the magic of whispers, "I love you..." From the wind through the trees to the call of the forest raptors, from the...
14/02/2026

All the magic of whispers, "I love you..."
From the wind through the trees to the call of the forest raptors, from the tiniest creature to the tallest pine, we and the forest wish you a happy Valentine's Day! 💖🌲🌳💖

13/02/2026

INDEMNITY FORMS SUSPENDED.

Please see post from SANParks - Table Mountain National Park below.

All need for indemnity forms at all previously noted entry points to the park has been suspended.

Walking in Tokai Forest and "savannah," under dramatic skies. Such contrasting and rich landscapes given the late aftern...
12/02/2026

Walking in Tokai Forest and "savannah," under dramatic skies.
Such contrasting and rich landscapes given the late afternoon cloudy light.

And always good to run into friends, particularly of the doggy variety!

Always great to bump into the very lovely and special ladies from Tokai Neighbourhood Crime Watch "Tokai Community Walk ...
12/02/2026

Always great to bump into the very lovely and special ladies from Tokai Neighbourhood Crime Watch "Tokai Community Walk Group" on their weekly forest patrols. There's always a good chat and plenty of laughs!

We're always so grateful for the community support that assists Parkscape in helping to keep safe 🙏🏽

Dogs having fun in Lower Tokai. This place is so good for their physical and mental well-being, as it provides an enviro...
11/02/2026

Dogs having fun in Lower Tokai. This place is so good for their physical and mental well-being, as it provides an environment that tantalizes all of their senses.

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