Joburg is often synonymous with fast-paced city life and cosmopolitan urban spaces. But among the concrete jungle lies the city’s green lungs that offer the greenest suburbs in Joburg that add to a sense of community and promotes an active home-life.
From sprawling lawns for a family picnic to manicured pathways for a morning jog, we’ve listed some of the top parks and gardens, and surrounding neighbourhoods to consider when looking for a home to stretch your legs and keep the family active.
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RIETFONTEIN NATURE RESERVE
Rietfontein Nature Reserve is a 25-hectare indigenous green space with an array of birdlife, animals and flora.
The nature reserve offers the perfect outdoor space to relax and explore nature. Grab some snacks and a blanket for a picnic basket on the lawns, take a walk up to the top of the ridge or join one of the educational tours.
Or grab a blanket and find a quiet spot on the lawns after a leisurely walk up to the top of the ridge.
Neighbourhoods in the area:
PAULSHOF
Paulshof is a modern, upmarket suburb rich in townhouse complexes lying just above the Braamfontein Spruit.
Described as the ‘garden village of the north’, you’ll often see residents walking their dogs or taking a stroll in the neighbourhood.
Paulshof’s proximity to Rietfontein Nature Reserve, and it’s open spaces along the Braamfontein Spruit makes this suburb a weekend must for visitors and the ideal home for active families.
RIVONIA
With an under 10min drive to the Rietfontein Nature Reserve, the leafy suburb of Rivonia is a sought-after area to live and work.
The area is also situated between the two spruits (Braamfontein and Sand) so residents are spoiled for choice for morning walks, evening runs and weekend play dates.
Rivonia offers stand-alone homes to growing families, apartment blocks for professionals and a great location for business and services.
DELTA PARK
Delta Park offers 103 hectares of grassland and woodland to explore with plenty of walking trails linking the three tree-lined dams.
The park also has a sensory trail and bird viewing spots at the Florence Bloom Bird Sanctuary. You may find yourself spending the better part of your morning meandering through the park or getting lost in exploring the plants.
It is also the home of the Delta Environmental Centre, where a wide range of fascinating wildlife-related courses are offered to adults and children.
Neighbourhoods in the area:
LINDEN
Linden has grown into one of Joburg’s most interesting, upmarket and culturally diverse places to live.
New complexes are being developed to meet the growing demand for property in this area, and the strong sense of community shines through the online neighbourhood groups.
This sense of community coupled with the Delta Park on your doorstep makes Linden the ideal active community.
HYDE PARK
Hyde Park is known for its large homes with expansive gardens and tree-lined streets. The beauty of the area is undeniable and the lush greenery adds to the tranquillity and peacefulness that makes Hyde Park one of the most sought after addresses in Joburg.
And while the quiet suburb itself is filled with green space, Delta Park (roughly 15 minutes away) offers an outdoor place for adults and children to socialise.
THE WILDS NATURE RESERVE
One of the oldest parks in the city, The Wilds is 40 acres of indigenous plants, shrubs and trees with stone-laid pathways weaving up and down the koppies of the Parktown ridge.
The garden is planted with the best of South Africa’s indigenous flora such as Cape fynbos, huge strelitzias, beds of clivias, elegant arum lilies, proteas, and trees such as yellowwood and cabbage.
Neighbourhoods in the area:
PARKTOWN
For a combination of history, tranquillity, contemporary convenience and open space, Parktown is at the top of the list.
Parktown is popular with families looking for large homes on big properties with its tree-lined streets and character homes in high demand.
And with Wilds Nature Reserve under 10 minutes away, plans for family outings and activities are a no-brainer.
KILLARNEY
Killarney is a trendy suburb and many of the large apartment-style buildings here boast incredible art deco details.
The neighbourhood has become popular with young professionals as its central to many surrounding areas such as Sandton and Braamfontein.
Killarney is surrounded by great spots such as Johannesburg Zoo, Zoo Lake, the Wilds Nature Reserve to spend an afternoon outdoors.
EMMARENTIA DAM & JOBURG BOTANICAL GARDENS
With over 100 hectares of open, green space, the Emmarentia Dam & Johannesburg Botanical Gardens attracts many daily visitors. The dam is a popular destination for canoeists and small-boat enthusiasts.
The vast green surrounds are equally popular with dog walkers, cyclists and runners, while on weekends the sloped grass embankments are filled with picnickers.
Neighbourhoods in the area:
EMMARENTIA
Emmarentia provides residents and visitors with an oasis in the midst of busy Joburg life.
Popular with families, the neighbourhood offers air, well-established homes often with large gardens.
The dam and gardens are a major attraction to the area and allow for a real country feel despite Emmarentia’s central location.
GREENSIDE
Greenside is now a thriving suburb known for its purple jacaranda trees that line the streets during summer.
Much like Emmarentia, Greenside is an ideal home for families due to its close proximity to the Emmarentia Dam, Johannesburg Botanical Garden as well as the Parkview Golf Club.
