SANDTON FIELD & STUDY
Description:
A nice
stroll through a treed park and along the shady Braamfontein
Spruit, a few minutes from Sandton Centre.
Location:
It is in Hurlingham, but access is via Mattie Avenue and 14th
Streets in Parkmore (Map Studio pg. 33 DH 99).
Parking:
Inside the park anywhere along the main dirt/tar road or in the
car park at the end of the road. Gates open at 6am and close
around 10pm.
Safety:
While there is
controlled access to motor vehicles, the western boundary is
open and so care should be taken when walking alone when the
park is empty. Otherwise it seems pretty well used and safe. The
other side of the river is less well used and it is advisable to
walk there in a group.
Facilities:
Braai area near the river, children’s playground equipment, taps
with drinking water and clean loos (bring your own toilet paper
and soap). There is a well constructed and safe bridge across
the river.
Water:
The Braamfontein
Spruit seems clean enough for dogs to swim in, but
please
check the quality and smell before you allow them in. There are
several canine swimming spots along the river.
Dog Friendliness:
Technically all dogs should be on lead, but nobody seems to
comply.
Walk
Time:
Around 1 hour.
Walk:
Make your way down to the river from wherever you have parked
and walk along the path adjacent to the river in either
direction. At the northern end of the path, you will see the
razor wire and warning signs of the Riverclub Golf Course. Turn
around and take any of the meandering paths back alongside the
river.
As you move south
along the river, the path eventually swings away from the water
and you leave the shady trees and enter a more sunny section.
The path soon joins the river again and eventually you will
reach the end of the grassy section where the river joins Louise
Ave/Brighton Rd.
Make a u-turn left
onto the path that runs parallel with Louise Ave. After a few
hundred metres you will reach a stable with horses near the
entrance gate. Put your dog on a lead if you walk through the
stabling area. Or take a detour back down the hill towards the
river and skirt the horse training area. Walk through the park
back to your vehicle.
Watch Out For:
(1) Some broken glass and trash near the braai areas and along
the river. (2) Razor wire at the Riverclub Golf Course end. (3)
Vagrants near the southern end and on the other side of the
river. (4) Horses near the main entrance gate.
© Dogwalk Publications -
07 July 2007
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