Joburg’s most pristine natural environment, The Wilds Nature Reserve, a 40 acre assemblage of indigenous vegetation, serene water ponds, a fountain, and fetching art installations is a certified tourism allure.

This sentiment has been ratified by residents of the City, who endorsed Houghton’s most verdant park as a joint winner of the Best Spot to Take Out-of-Towners in the recently announced Best of Joburg Readers’ Choice Awards.

The annual awards give readers a platform – through a survey – to vote for what and who makes living in Joburg great.

Jenny Moodley, the spokesperson for City Parks and Zoo, a municipal owned entity responsible for greening open spaces, cemeteries and parks, says visitors to The Wilds can experience nature combined with art and heritage.

“It’s rear to find a nature reserve in the middle of the city. Joburg residents are lucky because they don’t have to take a long drive for them to experience the best of what nature has to offer because it is just in their backyards,” Moodley explains.

Organisers of the Readers’ Choice Awards endorsed The Wilds for its greenery, sprawling lawns, a rich canopy of trees and waterfalls.

But The Wilds hasn’t always been a verdant, tranquil spot. In late 2013 the park fell into ruin, plagued by crime and grime. However, members of the community valued its existence so much that they mobilised support to repair it.

It was in 2018 when artist and eco-activist James Delaney, a community member who led the revitalisation of The Wilds received an AfriSam-SAIA Award for his work in raising over R100 000 towards the restoration of one of Joburg’s most historic natural gems.

A lovely space for social and small-scale corporate events, The Wilds is furnished with beautifully laid stone pathways weaving up and down the Koppies of the Parktown ridge, lush green lawns, public art decorations designed by Delaney and panoramic views of Hillbrow to the south and Sandton to the north.

“For the active … take a short hike along the paths. For others … picnic on the lawns. A visit to this tranquil spot is sure to leave you and your visitors feeling refreshed and in love with all Joburg has to offer,” organisers of the Readers’ Choice Awards enthuse.

“The trails lead you to all the different viewpoints especially the sundial, you can overlook the City of Joburg and just enjoy the view,” Moodley adds.

The Wilds is located on the base of the Parktown ridge on the boundary of Houghton and Killarney. It was donated to the then City Council by the Johannesburg Consolidated Investment Company in 1924 on condition that it remain in its natural state. It opened to the public in 1938 and was dedicated to the memory of Jan Smuts following his death in 1950. It was declared a national monument in 1981.

Last year, the park received a major boost when it was declared a heritage site following a five year facelift led by Delaney and the community of Houghton and surrounding areas. Moodley has praised local residents for taking active ownership of park.

The Wilds has security guards and secure parking at the main entrance in Houghton Drive, Parktown. It is open to the public seven days a week.

Written by Takalani Sioga