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Description: A small urban walk along a small river, across a weir and along a nice windy path. If the litter near the car park and along the river were collected it would be even more pleasant.

Directions: It is the suburb of Marais Steyn Park in Edenvale (Map Studio pg. 58 DO 112).

Dog Friendliness: Technically all dogs should be on lead, but nobody seems to comply.

Walk Time: About 30 minutes.

Parking: Off-road on the large road reserve in front of the park in 1^st Ave. There may be car guards at weekends.

Safety: I asked several other users and they said that it was OK. The 1^st section is heavily littered. The majority of the park is completely fenced in by its surrounding gated communities.

Facilities: Paved paths, benches and a bird watching hide.

Water: A small river runs through it and there are several swimming spots. However, the river can be smelly and polluted at times – so have a look first before allowing your dog in.

Walk: Follow the paved paths on the left hand side of the river. They meander downstream past open fields and reed beds. After about 200 m the park narrows between cluster homes and green palisade fences. Pass the weir and continue straight ahead following the path to the bottom of the park. Birdlife is pretty good along the river and reed beds.

At the bottom, your way is completely blocked off by fencing and you have to return the way you came. Take a minute before turning around and look at the busy Western Bypass (N3) a couple of hundred metres away. You can walk off the path along the grassy riverbank. At the small weir, cross over taking care as you negotiate the slippery surface.

The other side of the river is less well used and more run down. But you still follow the paved path as it winds between the river bank and fencing. The path pops you out back at 1^st Ave where you can return to your car or continue across the road to a small section of public open space euphemistically called Willie van Deventer Park.

If you continue across busy 1^st Ave, follow the foot path that skirts the houses and more gated communities on the left until you reach 4^th Ave. There is not much point in continuing further, so cross the bridge and return along the wide flat grassed area on the southern side of the river.

Watch Out For: (1) Broken bottles and sharp-edged cans, discarded food and bones at the beginning of the walk. (2) Polluted or smelly water in the river and weir. (3) Traffic on the busy 1^st Ave.

© Dogwalk Publications - 07 July 2007