This site is lovingly sponsored by ARC Recovery Centre as a gift to the community - because we believe that healthy environments foster healthy minds.

www.myrehab.co.za | www.myheadspace.co.za | www.addictionrecoverycentre.co.za

Please kindly take note: The Bunny Park’s content has been meticulously gathered from credible news sources that extensively cover the Bunny Park. We highly value and appreciate your contributions, so please inform us through the WhatsApp link if you happen to come across any inaccuracies. Our ultimate aim is to continuously enhance this website, therefore we encourage you to share any valuable additional details you may possess.

On Feb 4, 2025, at 3:49 PM, Bunny Park Web Admin <admin@bunnypark.co.za> wrote:

Good day Jani,

Please see answers to questions below;

If you have any more questions, I would be happy to help; feel free to email me again or call if required.

My team and I would like to please remain personally anonymous. Please could you reference us as “ARC Recovery Centre Spokesperson” as opposed to referencing any person directly. We would greatly appreciate this;

1. “Looking at the site, it’s evident that you spent a great deal of time sourcing trusted information. Was the site AI generated?”

ARC Recovery Centre Spokesperson:

The Bunny Park website was primarily human-curated, grounded in reputable historical sources like newspaper archives, municipal statements, and community groups. We did use AI tools—mostly to refine and clarify the collected information. This helped maintain both accuracy and an engaging tone. That said, the site itself wasn’t automatically generated by AI; the content was compiled, checked, and polished by our team.

We did use ChatGPT 3.5 at the time (as more recent models did not exist);

2. “Why did you decide to create a website dedicated to the Bunny Park?”

ARC Recovery Centre Spokesperson:

Bunny Park is a beloved local landmark that has played a significant role in Benoni’s community life for decades. By building a dedicated website, our goal is to preserve that history, celebrate its cultural importance, and keep the public informed about any current developments or community-driven projects. We see the park as a symbol of local pride—somewhere families can connect with nature, learn about conservation, and appreciate shared heritage.

3. “I see the site is sponsored by My Rehab. What is the connection between you, the Bunny Park, and the rehab facility?”

ARC Recovery Centre Spokesperson:

The sponsorship reflects our holistic approach at the ARC Recovery Centre, which is part of the My Rehab network. While we primarily focus on treatment and counseling, we also believe in community engagement and supporting local resources that enhance mental well-being, family life, and educational opportunities. Through this sponsorship, we’ve developed online tools, provided accurate information about Bunny Park, and offered a platform for community members to share and find resources—all of which align with our mission of fostering a healthier, more connected community.

4. “Regarding the photos, they appear to be quite dystopian. What was the inspiration behind using these images?”

ARC Recovery Centre Spokesperson:

We’ve embraced a slightly dystopian aesthetic to encourage the public to think about the park’s future—especially as part of a “Bunny Park Reflections” initiative looking ahead to the year 2066, its centenary. The imagery is meant to provoke discussion about conservation, changes in urban development, and how we can preserve places like Bunny Park despite ongoing global challenges. It’s not a forecast, but rather a creative prompt to inspire community awareness and proactive action.

All of the photos that don’t reference AI are all original Bunny Park photos gleamed from the Bunny Park Google page or from the Benoni – Now and then Facebook group; specifically from Glynis Millet-Clay, the group admin and cherished custodian of Benonis history. So, again, any AI generated art is labeled as such on the website.

5. “What is the 9th Floor?”

ARC Recovery Centre Spokesperson:

“The 9th Floor” is a tech-forward venture by our development team at the ARC Recovery Centre. It’s named after a former local music venue but now serves as a hub of AI-driven tools for the community. Here’s what it offers:

1. Local Government Assistance: It helps residents find ward councillor information, understand municipal by-laws, and connect with the right departments in Ekurhuleni.

2. Specialized AI Guides: Some AI assistants focus on mental health support, animal welfare, and other community concerns. They’ve been trained on official documents and local history to provide accurate, relevant advice.

3. Bunny Adoption Listings: We receive at least two calls a day from individuals asking if they can drop off their rabbits at Bunny Park. While the park would ideally like to help, it cannot accommodate new animals unless they’re already sterilized—and even then, budget constraints limit further intakes. To address this need, we’re repurposing part of the 9th Floor feed to connect people who must or want to give up their rabbits (with sterilization proof) to those willing to adopt. This way, bunnies in need of new homes can be re-homed safely without overburdening the park.

By bringing modern AI solutions under one umbrella, the 9th Floor aims to empower residents, promote ethical animal care, and deepen our sense of community engagement.

Additional Note on Public Inquiries

ARC Recovery Centre Spokesperson:

We’re often the first point of contact for people with questions about Bunny Park—especially those thinking of surrendering their rabbits. This highlights the park’s enduring reputation as a safe haven for animals and underscores our shared responsibility to ensure proper care. We’re committed to offering the resources we can, including the new adoption feed, while respecting the park’s operational limitations.

Closing Statement

We appreciate your interest in the Bunny Park website and the various community-oriented initiatives we support through ARC Recovery Centre. We look forward to discussing these projects in more detail and exploring ways we can continue to uplift the Benoni community—both now and in the future.

—ARC Recovery Centre Spokesperson

Final Note & Disclaimer

ARC Recovery Centre Spokesperson:

We at ARC Recovery Centre are committed to uplifting the Benoni community by sharing accurate, meaningful information and innovative tools. While we sponsor and maintain the Bunny Park website, we do not claim to act on behalf of the park’s official administration. Rather, we see ourselves as community partners, supporting a beloved local landmark so it may continue to enrich the lives of residents for years to come.

Jani Debeer, a senior journalist from the Benoni City Times asked for additional clarification:

Here is our summary of the Benoni City Times Article published on Sunday, the 16th of February

Website Origins and Purpose

The article highlights that the BunnyPark.co.za website is independently developed and sponsored by ARC Recovery Centre (part of the My Rehab network), with the aim of celebrating the Bunny Park’s legacy. The sponsors emphasize preserving local heritage, encouraging community engagement, and raising awareness about the park’s cultural and environmental importance. Although initially dormant since 2014, the domain was revived and officially launched in February 2023 after extensive planning.

“Dystopian” Imagery and Educational Goal

A key point of discussion is the website’s use of “dystopian” or post-apocalyptic imagery, which some readers found unsettling. The sponsors clarify that these creative visuals are meant to spark a conversation about conservation, community responsibility, and the potential consequences of neglect. Rather than predicting an actual future, the images form part of a “Reflections” initiative designed to inspire proactive involvement and thoughtful dialogue about the park’s future.

AI Involvement and 9th Floor Feature

The sponsors explain that human-curated research forms the foundation of the content, with artificial intelligence used to refine information and improve the user experience. Specific AI “guides” help visitors navigate mental health resources, municipal information, and animal welfare tips. The article also references the “9th Floor” platform, which connects individuals seeking to surrender rabbits with responsible adopters—an effort to reduce rabbit abandonment in the park.

Animal Welfare Concerns

While the Furry Friends group acknowledges having provided factual details to the website’s creators, they voice concerns that the site’s coverage of rabbit haemorrhagic viral disease may appear “watered-down.” In response, the sponsors maintain that their intention is to raise awareness responsibly, encourage updates from credible sources, and support public access to accurate information. They underscore their commitment to showcasing the park’s challenges and the importance of community-driven solutions.

Relationship with the City of Ekurhuleni (CoE)

The City has confirmed the website is not officially endorsed or sanctioned by municipal authorities, and clarifies that such a site can be independently developed if it does not misuse official logos or content. The sponsors respect this boundary and acknowledge the City’s right to request content amendments should any inaccuracies arise. Their goal is to remain transparent, collaborate constructively with local stakeholders, and encourage civic dialogue, rather than represent themselves as an official municipal channel.

Shared Vision and Next Steps

In the article, the sponsors reiterate their broader mission of supporting family life, mental well-being, and environmental stewardship, aligning with the ideals of the ARC Recovery Centre. By continuing to gather accurate historical data, embracing feedback from the public and animal welfare experts, and maintaining the website as a community-driven resource, they hope to safeguard the Bunny Park’s legacy and foster a spirit of local pride and participation.

Here is a link to the article: 

https://www.citizen.co.za/benoni-city-times/news-headlines/2025/02/16/dystopian-bunny-park-website-developers-say-its-in-the-name-of-conservation-and-education/?fbclid=IwY2xjawIecARleHRuA2FlbQIxMQABHUq6b6mIMo4o8UWIuYX8lVtzT8UznpGgELtBRXmJ8svHDJybCrfuS7BVgA_aem_FW-WTchXJ5Avubt5oxChUA

This site is lovingly sponsored by ARC Recovery Centre as a gift to the community - because we believe that healthy environments foster healthy minds.

www.myrehab.co.za | www.myheadspace.co.za | www.addictionrecoverycentre.co.za

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