When Samantha Green lost her dad, she found solace in clearing weeds from an unloved park across the road. Seven years later, that park bears his name, and the whole community calls it home.
KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa (30 March 2026) – Before Samantha Green and Tatenda Kusotera came along, Townbush Park had been an overgrown, neglected space in the suburb of Montrose in Pietermaritzburg.
Sam moved to the area with her family seven years ago. One day, when out exploring with her daughter, she discovered the park and the beautiful trees that were hidden behind layers of cat’s claw creeper.
When her dad passed away in March 2021, restoring that space became a form of healing.
“When my father, Stan Carruthers, passed away on 12 March 2021, I started my healing by working in the park…by clearing bug weed and lantana, and picking up litter. That sparked an idea that Kuso, our gardener, loved – work in the park one hour a week and just tidy it up,” said Sam, as per the KPCA (Keep PMB Clean Action Group)
She and Kuso appealed to the community for donations of indigenous plants that would help restore the park into a natural space that residents would treasure and want to protect.
“Well, the park in the heart of this community started to beat.” shared the KPCA. “Neighbours arrived with small handfuls of plants, and sometimes full car loads!”
Slowly, bit-by-bit, they worked through the park in chapters, pouring their love into the restoration which had blossomed from a modest goal into building green heart of the suburb.
“When we first began clearing, we found a lot of cough mixture bottles and alcohol bottles and realized what a security issue an overgrown area presents,” Sam explained. “We also cleared the stream and now the river can run freely and not overflow its banks. We then planted up beds with indigenous plants and cuttings donated by our community.”
In the years since, the park has brought residents together. People chip in, where they can, to uphold and maintain the park.
Related Story
“We have neighbours who keep an eye on the park for people littering and general security. Another neighbour sharpens our tools; another donates 2-stroke oil. Others give Kuso some spare things or a 2L coke.”
A ride-on mower has even been donated by a generous community member.
With help from the residents of Montrose, Townbush Park – now also known as Carruthers Park, in honour of Sam’s late dad – is the beating green heart of Montrose.
“My Dad was born, bred and died in Pmb. And I know he couldn’t be prouder of seeing a beautiful corner for him and for everyone. I love hearing the sounds of kids riding their bikes or people laughing or talking coming out of the park,” shares Samantha.
Recently, Carruthers Park was nominated as a ‘Sweet Spot’ in a seasonal competition hosted by the KPCA and partners Save Hyper, The Witness, and We Love PMB. The quarterly awards honour residents, businesses, schools and organisations making an effort to keep public spaces like street verges and public parks clean and beautiful.
Winners are chosen across four categories including Residential, Schools/Education, Business and Organisations, and Township Gardens.
Nominations for the Sweet Spot competition remain open until 30 November 2026, with judging and awards taking place throughout the year. To nominate a special green space in your Pietermaritzburg neighbourhood, find out more here!
by 