Recreational parks in and around Johannesburg

With summer holidays just around the corner and for those wanting to explore and enjoy the green spaces around north western Johannesburg. Here are some of the facilities on offer which are all easily accessible from Moonflower Cottages in Victory Park and a great days outing for all ages and interests like hiking, walking, flying radio controlled aircraft, rock climbing, cycling, canoeing, sailing, diving, archaeology or an outdoor family outing.

• Delta Park is right on your doorstep where one can join up with the Braamfontein Spruit and take an easy stroll through to Delta Park which offers 104 hectares of both grass and woodland to explore. Popular for cycling, walking ones dogs on the numerous trails or just enjoying the numerous birdlife attracted by dams, streams and wooded areas. The park is also home to the Delta Environmental centre where a range of fascinating wildlife courses are offered to adults and children (there is also a playground). The park is open from sunrise to sunset. Delta Park, Road No. 3, Tel: (011) 888-4831, Victory Park, Johannesburg.

• Emmarentia Dam forms part of Johannesburg’s Botanical Gardens and this vast green area includes an experience at the terraced Rose garden and Shakespeare garden where you can take a step back in time.  The sloped green embankments attract picnickers and it’s reputed to be one of the best dog walks in town. At the northeast side by the dam wall canoeists and small boat enthusiasts criss cross the damn and provide a great backdrop to sit and relax and watch all the activity or even take part.

• Melville Koppies is one of the original heritage sites and is found just south of Melville. It is one of the few conserved remnants of Joburg’s original ridges before the Gold rush in 1886. The geology of the area dates back over three billion years and if you take one of the a guided walks offered every Saturday you can see remnants of both the iron and stone ages.

• Northcliff Ridge Econopark is the second highest point in Joburg and offers breathtaking views of Johannesburg in all directions, newly restored the steep paths and trails make for strenuous but exciting hiking and you will also have the opportunity for rock climbing.

• Alberts Farm was acquired by the City Council from the Alberts family and is of historical value to the area as the family was one of the first to trek up from the Cape Province to settle in the area. This particular 90 hectares of land was set aside as a green area for the benefit of the community.The cemetery in the middle of the farm contains the graves of the families who owned farms on which the townships of Sophiatown, Albertsville, Albertskroon and Greenside are now situated. The biodiversity of the land is unique in terms of species, habitat and landscape elements. It includes a wetland, the only artesian spring in Gauteng, a stream, dams, rocky ridge and natural grassland. It also forms an important habitat for birds, fish, reptiles and small mammals, and the wetland serves as an important natural purifier of polluted storm water from the surrounding built-up areas. The artesian spring feeds the main dam with fresh water. Apart from the conservational and educational importance of the area, the Farm plays an important recreational role in the social environment, with hiking, picnicking, dog-walking, jogging, cycling and fishing currently being the main attraction.

• Kloofendaal is a bit further away and is situated off the Western bypass but should be on every avid park goers to-do list. It features the first payable gold mine on the reef and can be visied only during specific guided tours. There is an amateur educational centre featuring fauna,flora, geology and the history of the reserve as well as one of the first stamp mills brought to the Rand.For those that enjoy both history and wildlife you can have a look at www.kloofendalfriends.yolasite.com

• Park at the end of Malachite Street in Little Falls and take a walk along a set of koppies where gold was originally discovered on the Witwatersrand by the Struben brothers. After your walk, take in the nearby old workings of the mine, called Confidence Reef by the brothers – despite the fact that the gold only lasted a year before drying up. What’s left is a series of shallow tunnels, locked but available for tours – phone  011 761 0287

Moonflower Cottages is a premier choice of upmarket accommodation situated in Victory Park Johannesburg. if you are planning a business trip, a relaxing vacation, a romantic getaway or an adventure with friends. These self-catering cottages are owner managed by Jamie MacLeod who seeks to provide upmarket, comfortable and affordable ‘home from home’ accommodation. We offer our discerning guests a tranquil stay in any one of our five self-catering apartments set in a beautiful garden setting. Should your requirement be for a short, medium or longer term stay you will enjoy each unit’s individual style of accommodation. Each cottage has its own private entrance and you will find a unique ambiance in both layout and furnishings for each chalet.

Contact Jamie on 0827709569 or check online availability in real time.