ALBERTS FARM (Northcliff)
Description:
Alberts Farm is
a large tract of land with natural grassland, Joburg’s only
artesian spring, marsh, a rocky ridge, grassed lawn and trees.
Directions: It is in Albertskroon near Northcliff in
north Johannesburg.
Dog
Friendliness:
Dogs can run off
lead.
Walk Time:
Under 1 hour.
Parking:
There are two places to park: (1) In De La Rey Street opposite
the main dam near to the intersection with Zulu Street – be
careful of passing cars; and (2) In the centre of the park where
there is an access road leading off of 8th St. There are no car
guards, so leave your valuables in the boot or at home.
Safety: The southern boundary of the park is in a rather
seedy area and there are people living in along the stream that
runs along the south side. Thus the walk stays away from that
section. The rest of the park seems well used – the best time is
Sunday morning. Walk in groups and stick to the sections that
have the most people.
Facilities:
There are trash bins and children's playground equipment near
the dam. A tap with potable water is located under an oak tree
near the house in the middle. The water from the natural spring
(S on the map) is also very clean and drinkable.
Water:
There are two dams, an artesian spring and a tap. The main dam
is clean and swimmable for dogs. The smaller lily pond (LP on
the map) is muddier and smelly. Running down the southern end of
the park is a small stream that is smelly and polluted.
Walk:
There is a network of well used paths and open lawns in the
northern 2/3 of the park. I would recommend the following route
for a good and varied walk. If you park in the centre car park,
then pick up the route from the cemetery.
Start to the north of the main dam and walk along the path that
runs along eastern edge and follow it right around the dam. You
will often pass several fisherman, picnickers and church groups
using the dam’s edge. At the north-western edge follow a small
stream into a small rocky outcrop shaded by some gnarled trees.
The stream starts life among the rocks – this is the only
artesian spring in Johannesburg and the water is drinkable.
Leave the spring and walk west following a path that leads you
into the low natural grassland section. Don’t take the left or
right hand paths, but continue along a wide path in a roughly
straight line up the hill. It leads you to the boundary fence at
Judith Crescent. At the fence, turn sharp left and follow a path
that leads up a small hill. There will be houses on your right
hand side. The views across to the east and south Joburg are
quite stunning. After about 500 m take a very well used path
leading off to your left back to the middle of the park.
As you leave the natural grassland, you will see a small fenced
in and rather neglected cemetery. This is where the members of
the Alberts family are buried. Sophia Alberts (the grave on the
right hand side) is the person for whom Sophiatown was named.
Walk back towards the central parking area and skirt it around
the left hand side until you reach the beginning of the tall
grassed section.
Turn left and walk along the boundary between the tall grass and
lawn past the fenced in house with barky dogs where a council
employee called Willie lives – he cuts over one million acres of
grass in Johannesburg. The grass boundary leads you back to the
main dam.
Before the dam look for 2 paths leading to the right. Take the
one nearest the dam and it will lead you to the top end of the
lily pond. Walk across the concrete bridge and turn left as you
leave the shady trees. Follow the small muddy stream leading
north back to the main dam and your starting point.
Watch Out For:
(1) The tall grass south of the lawned central section. There
are people living there, washing in the stream and defecating in
the grass. (2) People parked near the dam
- they may be drunk and they can drive their vehicles
recklessly when arriving or leaving. (3) Kids and adults on quad
bikes if your dog doesn’t like motor bikes. (4) Lots of broken
glass on the rocky ridge that runs along the northern boundary
of the park. (4) Fish hooks near the dam that may snag your dogs
paws.
More Info:
Godfrey Giles 011.782.6607 or 083.600.0062 of the Alberts Farm
Management Committee.
© Dogwalk Publications -
07 July 2007
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