28/09 :: Walk on the “Wilds”side – Joburg’s Central Park?
UPDATE!!
We went along on one of these walks a couple of weeks ago – we’re pretty brave, independent people so for us in a sense it’s a pity that one has to go in a big group but the bonus is that you can find out all about the history, the stories and the birdlife from the guides!
It’s a mind-blowing place and we were delighted to see some magic hidden corners that no-one knows about. …
The views of the city are outstanding. Go on the group walk. It’s worth it. But then make sure to go back yourself (in a small group!)
UPDATE!
A walk in The Wilds this Sunday August 28 2005. The coral trees are ablaze, the bottle brush is a vivid red, the African daisies are painting the ground with orange and gold. Spring is here early, but there is still one last official winter walk in The Wilds in Houghton/Killarney/Parktown this Sunday (August 28) at 8:30am. Secure parking at the end of St Patrick Rd cnr Houghton Drive (M31S). Children and dogs (with leads) are welcome. Good walking shoes. Donations. Tel TJ 082 554 9972, or see www.wildswalk.co.za for
details.
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UPDATE! August 9th walk.
There’s a walk this Woman’s day to check out the rich winter colours of the park.
Join a group walk (approx hour and half) on Tuesday, August 9 at 09:00.
Come and see the winter colours in The Wilds in Houghton/Killarney/Parktown. Secure parking at the end of St Patrick Rd cnr Houghton Drive (M31S). Children and dogs (with leads) are welcome. Good walking shoes and a water bottle.
Donations welcome.
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The one criticism about living in Joburg that I can agree to without vehement debate is the fact that Joburgers DO NOT WALK ENOUGH… in fact some Joburgers DO NOT WALK AT ALL.
Well, there’s a great big urban space filled with indigenous plants and flowers and trees and amazing nature…so close to the city, Hillbrow and Yeoville – THE WILDS. And you can do a walk around them every second Sunday as part of the thousands of people that are taking back the WILDS. Let’s make the Wilds our Central Park.:
TJ de Klerk is someone that’s very passionate about the area known as “The Wilds” in Joburg -it’s that tree-filled greenbelt next to the M1South (Harrow rd/houghton turnoff) that borders on the glorious old suburbs of Killarney, Parktown and Houghton. Since March this year he has been encouraging Joburgers to walk through the beautiful 18 hectares of The Wilds every second Sunday morning. You can get amazing views of Hillbrow and the Northern Suburbs and you can follow the trails on your own. There’s one this weekend! Be on time and wear good walking shoes.
Go to ARTSLINK for more info or contact TJ de KLERK
Next walks at The Wilds:
Sunday July 10 08:30 (see above)
Sunday July 24 08:30
Tuesday August 9 09:00 (please book with TJ)
Sunday August 14 08:30
Sunday August 28 08:30
Johannesburg City Parks provides roaming wardens, but as this is public open space do take the usual precautions! Don’t walk alone, join a group walk
Some History:
TJ has achieved a great deal since he first led walkers back into the park in March.
The koppies have been mapped and trail markers installed leading walkers along the cobbled paths to viewpoints looking out over Hillbrow and to the northern suburbs. Maps are available from the security wardens at the old kiosk.
The first tree markers were put up in May and on July 9 Kobus Kok from the Dendrological Society is returning to finish the work, marking another 180 trees and cycads on the two koppies, making The Wilds a unique and valuable educational resource.
Dave Baguley, who carved the beautiful stone sundial that now stands on top of the west koppie, returned with stone pointers, so walkers can easily find their way up the hill.
Security is an on-going problem. A team from Jesse Mission in Hillbrow has repaired both drinking fountains and fences. “No sooner do we fix a hole, than another one is made,” TJ said ruefully. A gate has been installed on the pedestrian bridge, closing off the east koppie after dark, and the Upper Houghton Residents Association is raising funds to fence the entrance on Munro Drive.
“We really need to extend the palisade fence on Houghton Drive too,” TJ said. “Smash-and-grab criminals are operating at the Houghton Drive robots and we need to make life difficult for them.”
The footbridge also needs maintenance – it has probably not been painted since it was put up in 1968 – but tracking down the department responsible was quite a chore and naturally “it is not in the budget”.
Rubbish removal is another issue, made lighter by the donation from Clear Channel Communications of 20 concrete dustbins. Stone tables and benches are on their way next week from Johannesburg City Parks Department to replace the broken ones at the old kiosk.
Meanwhile several thousand walkers have been through the park in the last few months, including the finalists of Miss Earth South Africa (this past Sunday). Many have become regulars, coming back to savour the peace and beauty of this special place.
Group walks are held on every second and fourth Sunday at 8.30am and walks can also be arranged at other times during the week.
