Hillcrest Conservancy launches park for dog walkers

AS part of their Paws for Nature project, the Hillcrest Conservancy will be opening up Tree Park at Hillcrest Station. On the first Saturday of every month, Hillcrest residents will get the opportunity to walk their dogs along the Tree Park dog trail.

Explaining more on the park, Hillcrest Conservancy chairperson George Victor said, “There are not many spots in central Hillcrest where residents can walk their dogs and enjoy the country air without having to watch out for joggers or cyclists who want to share the same space.

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“Hillcrest Conservancy will be opening up Tree Park at Hillcrest Station on the first Saturday of every month to allow residents to walk their dogs along the Tree Park Dog Trail and enjoy fellowship with other dog owners,” she said.

Victor said this is part of their Paws for Nature project, where developing wetlands can be seen along the 3km trail, which is dotted with young, established indigenous trees edged with natural grasslands.

The park has been making progress with 64 trees being planted during the Covid-19 pandemic in 2020. The trees were planted in the vicinity of Inanda Road and the rail reserve. A hundred more trees were added in 2022 with the aim of creating a green buffer strip between Inanda Road and Hillcrest Park.

Victor said they will be installing Information Boards detailing the Mend the Molweni River Rehabilitation Project so residents can pause with their mutts and learn about caring for the urban waterways.

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For the newly launched dog trail, Victor said the dogs will need to be on a lead, and there is a suggested donation of R20 per four paws (or part thereof). There will be safe parking at the venue, which is on the Botha’s Hill side of Hillcrest Station – with a sharp left turn required as one enters the complex.

“The donation will be used towards the rewilding of the Molweni, which provides much-needed water for residents farther downstream,” said Victor.

For more information, George Victor can be contacted on 073 901 3902.

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