Two new blue heritage plaques awarded to Marks Park in Emmarentia
The two buildings which date back to the early 1900s are now protected assets of the city.
Two new blue heritage plaques have been placed at Marks Park, awarded by the City and Johannesburg Heritage Foundation.
The first was erected at the sports club which sits in 13 hectares of land donated by the Geldenhuys family in the early 1900s to be used for public recreation. The club, founded in 1938, initially at Paterson Park in Norwood, has been at its current location since 1951.
The second was placed at the historic Geldenhuys Farmhouse on the same property which is situated on the slopes of the Melville Koppies. It is used as the current clubhouse and was built in 1904 as the homestead. Wide verandas with decorative iron balustrades and a Victorian turret and air vents break up the roof expanse.
Located on Judith Road in Emmarentia, a wide variety of sports are played at Marks Park with social events like dances and concerts also being held at the facility which is enjoyed by the community to this day. It also boasts top of the range sporting facilities with tennis, soccer, rugby, and cricket being played at league levels.
A formal unveiling of the plaques will take place in the coming weeks and a follow-up article will be published.
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