Take a walk on the wild side in Houghton
HOUGHTON – Taking a walk in nature is easy and safe again.
Local community members led free walks every hour for kids to show them The Wilds and teach them about nature.
This took place on 22 July when Chris Lenferna of Saxonwold, Andrea Ellens of Parktown North and Kennedy Welani Tembo of Parktown went to The Wilds, a space where artist and environmentalist James Delaney has been clearing and putting up his artworks.
“There were nine walks altogether, with about 300 people participating. Most were new visitors to The Wilds, and couldn’t believe what they found there – so many were coming up to me, thanking me and my team for the hard work and promising to be back with more friends,” he explained.
The visitors were led through grass and forest, past the new kudu sculptures, and up to the sundial and the ostriches, with the best view of the Joburg skyline.
“They got to see my new sculptures, which are a big hit, especially among the children who love spotting the monkeys and counting the owls to see if they can see all 67 of them,” said Delaney.
Young entrepreneurs supported the initiative – Lovejoy Chirambasukwa and Neo Mkhethoni from Craft Coffee made special hot chocolates for the little ones. There were also fresh fruit sorbets. The children from St Peters School helped out in repairing pathways.
Rock climbers are back at the rock wall on the East Wilds, and they were practising too.
“The Wilds is now safe and in great condition again, and so I hope days like these will help to spread the word so that more visitors return. Please note that the West Wilds is fully fenced, but the East Wilds over the pedestrian bridge should still be visited with caution until the fencing has been completed,” Delaney cautioned.
Have you visited The Wilds recently? Share your photos on @RK_Gazette.
Related articles:
