Nantes Park is a large public space ideal for picnics, leisurely walks, playing sport and skateboarding.
The Vygekraal River, that runs through the natural park, plays a role in adding to the character and charm of Nantes Park. It forms part of a broader network of river greenbelts that serves the Athlone, Kewtown, Vanguard Estate and Heideveld communities.
The skateboard and BMX area is popular with local youth, and helps keep them active, and assists in preventing anti-social behaviour. Nantes Park is one of five sites at which the City Parks Department hosted tree planting ceremonies in December 2013, to honour the late Nelson Mandela. The tree species planted include olive, assegai and ficus, which symbolise Madiba’s qualities. The City maintains the park with help from the surrounding community. Both are committed to providing surrounding residents with a clean, safe and beautiful environment.
After much consultation with the community, the City Parks Department appointed an architect to compile a plan for the upgrade to Nantes Park. The upgraded park now includes an open-air amphitheatre, a pedestrian bridge, skateboard and BMX area, a tea room, two children’s play parks, an outdoor gym, and walkways.
