International Style: Delta Park Delights
Sat Apr 15, 14:00 - Sat Apr 15, 16:00
Delta Park Environmental Centre
ABOUT
What a perfect way to enjoy a beautiful autumn day…
We begin walking our tour at Delta Park under the tallest palm trees in Johannesburg and, for an hour or two, we’ll imagine ourselves back in the 1930s when this was open farmland beyond our city limits. The tour then continues with a short walk in the forest to look at the original Art Deco gate and houses, some sadly in need of attention.
Next up, we’ll tour the impressive complex that was at one time a sewerage treatment facility for the north side of Johannesburg (before then, local residents’ waste was collected by ‘honey wagons’ or ‘night soil’ mule carts). This cluster of buildings includes the original wastewater treatment building (built in 1931), a group of homes for municipal officials, and a workers’ compound - all built in the International Style, which echoes the stylings of London’s underground and power stations from the same era.
The treatment facility became derelict in 1963 and the main building was due for demolition. Thankfully, in the 1970s, this beautiful structure was reinvented as a conservation centre and we’ll see how the old plant was incorporated into the environmental museum, where we hope to have a mini tour.
The walking tour will also include a short stroll along the pretty Linden Stream to see the upper pond and (hopefully) the last stand of Cosmos for 2023. And we’ll visit the Bird Sanctuary and the Braamfontein Spruit, with its many Oaks, London Planes, and other trees in their autumnal splendour.
It’s going to be a lovely day in Delta Park filled with architecture and history, so do come and join us!
Please bring a change of shoes, as the park can be very muddy if there has been rain. Ample parking is available at the Environmental Centre.