In the 1950s the park was visited by two imaginative theatre
Inside the park:
enthusiasts Cecilia Sonnenberg and Rene Abrenson, who saw
• A tea garden
its potential for presenting Shakespearian plays and with as-
• Beds of miniatures
sistance transformed the old archery lawn into an enchanting
• 4,500 rose bushes
setting for an annual Shakespearean season.
• 500 varieties of roses • Aeds of medal winners
In 1956 the theatre was launched with the staging of ‘The Taming of the Shrew’ by the Spotlight Theatre Company. The
Address - Durban Road. Durbanville
statue of Willam Shakespeare, just visible through the gate,
Opening hours - Sunrise to Sunset
once stood above the Juta & Co Building. It was snapped up by two ladies and placed in its present appropriate position.
GREEN POINT URBAN PARK
Before the summer performances, patrons usually gather on
FOR SUNSETS AND SUNDOWNERS
the lawns and enjoy a picnic under the stars.
The newest edition to urban outdoor lovers which also forms Inside the park:
part of the 2010 World Cup Green legacy was opened to
• Mature trees
the public early this year. The common grounds of the park
• Sweeping lawns
contain two main areas: the formal part and the biodiversity
• Open-air theatre
garden.
• Krakeelwater pond • Venue for markets, fairs, wedding receptions,religious
The park is open every day from 07:00 until 19:00 and entry is free.
DURBANVILLE ROSE GARDEN bloom in the rose garden This 3.5 hectare garden includes 500 varietals and 4 500 rose bushes. Visitors can enjoy the layout of hybrid teas along Drakenstein Street, beds of miniatures, a gazebo that includes the ‘Fairest Cape’ rose, a tea garden, beds of medal winners, antique roses planted around graves, floribundas near the parking and climbers and shrubs against the fence. Four workers tend the garden, supplemented by additional gardeners on occasion, to tend to the watering, feeding and spraying. The Friends of the Rose Garden club make a valu-
Green Point Urban Park
able contribution by donating their expertise and time. Key facts: This beautiful rose garden was established in 1979 as an initia-
• Picnics are permitted
tive of the Western Cape Rose Society under the auspices of
• Swimming, skateboarding, fires, braais, camping, loud
Mr and Mrs Lindner, and the then Durbanville Municipality.
music, flower picking and alcohol are not permitted • Dogs are welcome in the park, provided that they are on a lead and owners pick up and dispose of their excrement. • Dogs are not allowed in the biodiversity garden • Parking is available near the entrances on the corner of Beach/Vlei Roads; on Bill Peters Drive (near the entrance to the Virgin Active gym); and on Bay Road (near the Mouille Point lighthouse). There are also numerous pedestrian links to surrounding areas • The park has an outdoor gym and play park
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ll Hello December 2021 2021 Hello Cape Cape Town Town October October 2021
