I had to pop down to Settlers Park for a quick visit the other day and just couldn't help to take a couple of moments to enjoy the view up the Baakens Valley. The valley truly is Port Elizabeth's green lung.
Riding to work the other morning the weather was a bit on the foggy side and this was the view of the Baakens Valley at Settlers Park when I passed there.
On Saturday night the second annual Carols by Candlelight in Settlers Park took place. The event was organised by the Wildlife and Environment Society of SA (WESSA) and Nelson Mandela Bay Tourism and forms part of the Baakens Valley Recovery Program. Although the wind was blowing all day long, the spot where the carols took place was sheltered and you barely felt a breeze. The program was lead by the Salvation Army Brass Band and the vocal talents of Niqui Cloete-Barrass…
Taking a stroll along one of the paths in Settlers Park. In many ways Baakens River Valley and Settlers Park is the green lung of Port Elizabeth and is just so underutilized by the inhabitants of the city. It is a great place to get near nature and just away from the city's hustle and bustle.
Sticking to the Settlers Park theme of the last couple of day. For those who are less energetic or just not in the mood to take the walk down into the park for a picnic; there are some very nice picnic spots right next to the main car park just off How Avenue. Some of them are nice sunny lawn areas where kids can run and play while others are shady spots for those hot summer days we have.
This is the view from just above the Settlers Park car park looking west up the Baakens Valley. The Baakens River has its origens just west of Port Elizabeth in the foothills of Lady Slipper mountain before flowing through the lenght of the city, entering the sea at the Port Elizabeth harbour. Most of the Baakens River Valley are protected open space of which Settlers Park forms a big part of. The majority of the lenght of the Baakens River…
If you go to the main car park at Settlers Park and look down the cliff you will see Holland Dam. The easiest way to get into the park is to take the tar-surfaced walkway on the right hand side of the car park down into the valley. As you walk down and the buildings on the opposite side of the valley disappears, its hard to believe that you are still in the heart of the city. To get to…
The 54-hectare tranquil Settler’s Park, which lies along the banks of the Baakens River, is located in the heart of the city. In many ways its the city's green lung. The park has three entrances and may be accessed via How Avenue, just off Park Drive; Chelmsford Avenue, just off Target Kloof or from Third Avenue, Walmer. It also offers recommended short walks that may commence from any of these entrances. The Park facilities include a flower display house, a…