Donald Mackay Park | |
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Donald Mackay Park is a municipal park in the Berea district of Johannesburg, South Africa. It is located above the reservoir.
Donald Mackay Park was built in 1896. The foundation stone of the reservoir was laid by Mrs. Von Brandis, wife of the first magistrate and Mining Commissioner of Johannesburg. The reservoir was designed to hold 227 million liters of water[1] to combat water shortages. The reservoir continues to function.[2][3][4]
The park adjacent to the reservoir was formerly known as ‘Andrew’s Reserve’ and ‘Waterworks Reservoir’.[5] Donald Mackay Park was given its current name on January 31, 1939, in honour of Donald William Mackay, mayor of Johannesburg from 1936–37.
Both the reservoir and the park are owned by the City.
Although it is not officially recognized as a heritage site, Donald Mackay Park is historically and culturally significant for several reasons: