HIGHWAY residents can gear up for the new and exciting addition to the Westville Country Club, the Westville Eco Trail.
The club embarked on the daring project to introduce a slew of MTB tracks for the community.
The project has gathered a host of support and partnered with the Durban Green Corridor, GO!Durban, the Westville Conservancy, the Rotary Club of Westville and the eThekwini Municipality to set up the gorgeous trails.
The project’s seed was planted in 2014 and the actual construction and clearing of the trails started in early 2016. The local conservancy had been working in the area and clearing out the invasive plants since 2005, this was in conjunction with Westville Varsity College.
Ed Pieret, chairman of the Westville Country Club, said, “The reason for starting the project emanated from our strategic planning session in April 2014. We conducted market research in and around Westville and it became clear that mountain biking was the new golf, in addition participants in the survey asked for us to create a family environment.
“We subsequently teamed up with Durban Green Corridors, who have been sponsoring the labour component of the trail expenses.”
The Highway Mail recently completed a gorgeous 2.5km walk along the completed phase 1 trails. It is continuously being extended and there are 8km of trails altogether. Multicoloured ribbons can be found dotting a few of the branches from a recent trail run that took part along the route. The group of runners described it as both challenging and gorgeous to run through.
The green lung stretches all the way through to the Pavilion Shopping Centre, Jimmy Bellows Sports Ground and the Lee Cox Field. It features an abundance of fauna and flora and has been labelled as a great place for bird watchers to visit. Vast areas along the route have been completely cleared of alien invasive plants, from balloon vine and morning glory to lantana and bamboo. What is even more interesting was the removed bamboo was then upcycled and used as track markers and create retainer walls. In the space of the aliens natural grasses, a host of locally indigenous trees and plants were introduced.
For those who are keen on using the route, there is no entrance fee and is open to the public from Monday to Sunday between 6am and 6pm. The only time there will be a cover charge will be during a private event. There is safe, secure parking at the Westville Country Club and the entrance to the venue is next to the Westville Country Club Bowls Club’s parking lot.
To get involved and help clear alien invasives, host events or general queries, call Lisa on 031 266 1391 (extension 5) or e-mail manager@westvillecc.co.za
