Halloween

Parkhurst is a great suburb for trick or treating on Halloween.  The kids love it, and its a very good way to get to know the neighbourhood and the residents.

Email: communications@parkhurst.org.za  if you have ideas or a way of co-ordinating trick or treating.

Parkhurst is a suburb of Johannesburg that has managed to retain an old style village charm....

.... and yet the houses are diverse, from modern, to eclectic to old world style charm. Residents have worked hard to build houses, and modernise houses, to be part of this one off lifestyle only attainable in Parkhurst.

We take care of the children in our community and we work hard to recover an ideal of having our children play safely in our streets. Children do play in the park and in the evenig a wonderful gathering of the neighbourhood children and dogs gather to soak up the last rays of the day and disconnect from the work day mayhem.

The local businesses, mostly occuppy 4th Avenue and these venues are a great gathering point at nights and on weekends.  Clothing, book and gift requirements are well taken care of with the wide variety of good quality and unusal stores on the street. 

Residents strive to achieve a balance between sustaining a viable commercial node that represents lifestyle value add versus over development.  We want to make sure that we can walk, live and play safely and we do whatever we need to do, to achieve that.

Things to Do

• Walk yourself, your dog and your kids in Verity Park.
• Celeb spotting in the 4th Ave sidewalk restaurants.
• Window shopping along 4th Ave.
• Take a return trip on the 79 bus from Parkhurst to Ghandi Square in downtown Joburg and get a great aerial view of Parkhurst and Joburg.
• Become a nosy neighbour and visit the numerous show houses on Sunday afternoons.
• Walk along the Braamfontein Spruit and through the streets – cross over the spruit at 12th and then back again on 22nd Streets.
• Visit the library and borrow a book, video or jigsaw puzzle, as well as buy some great honey and home-made rusks.
• Take a class at the Recreation Centre.
• Walk around the suburb in spring and admire the banksia roses and other flowers and newly leaved trees.
• Watch big sporting events on the big screen at Pirates Sports Club.

Parkhurst Recreation Centre

The Rec Centre has a host of courses for residents. To take a class, you have to first join the Rec Centre (adults R73/yr, children R66/yr, senior citizens R53/yr) and then you pay the facilitator their fee for the course or activity you are taking. For more info, contact the centre on 011-442-6717, parkhurstreccentre@joburg.org.za, 011-327-2751 (fax). The entrance to the Rec Centre is in 5th Ave near the intersection of 13th St and there is parking behind and to the side of the hall. The 2009 programme is as follows (contact the Centre for the name of the facilitator for the courses or activities below):

Education 

 
Parkhurst Primary: It was opened in 1952 to serve the large numbers Baby Boomer children born in the suburb after the 2nd World War. It soon outgrew its planned size and expanded to encompass two Parkhurst blocks. Since 1994, the school and the suburb seem to have parted ways. Now 98% of the school-children who attend are Black and many are bussed in from other areas. The school still has a good reputation and excellent teachers so it is a pity that the more wealthy residents don't take advantage of a good primary school on their doorstep. Cost is R3000 PA for tuition and there are still some places left in certain grades. The School Hall is also for hire for suitable activities. Tel: 011-880-3800.

Greenpark Nursery School is a large nursery school on cnr 4th Ave/5th St taking 110 3-6 year old children. There is a waiting list, visitors welcome. Member of ISASA. Contact: 011-442-9128, greenpar@iafrica.com

Little House Montessori is literally in an original little Parkhurst house at 78-18th St. It takes 35 children from ages 3-6 years. There were still a few places available at time of going to press. Contact: 011-462-3375, 083-353-9670, fes@telkomsa.net

Little Star Montessori: Next to the Baptist Church in 15th St. They have room for 70 children aged 3-6 years old. There is a waiting list. Look out for their open days. They also operate an afternoon Montessori Training Centre for teachers. Contact: 011-880-5819.

Medical

 
Opticien (Cnr 4th Ave/9th St). Mon-Fri 8am-6pm and Sat 8am-2pm. Special reduced rate for domestic staff. Tel: 011-447-4613.

Parkhurst Clinic: Located next to the Parkhurst Recreation Hall, cnr 5th Ave/14th St. It serves 12 suburbs and is run by the City Council. It is free to the people who attend it. They offer a Well-baby Clinic, Family Planning, TB Clinic, STD and Curative Services, 7.30am-4pm (but get there before 3pm) Mon-Thu; HIV/Aids Testing and Counselling, 7.30am-4pm Fridays; Podiatry by appointment. Info: 011-788-1526/7.

Parklands Pharmacy in 4th Ave started trading in 1948 and is one of 2 remaining pharmacies in Parkhurst. Open 8am-6pm Mon-Fri, 8am-1pm Sat. Tel: 011-788-9307.

Blood Donors: There is always a shortage of blood in Gauteng. The nearest donor clinic is on the 1st Floor, The Colony, cnr Rothesay/Jan Smuts Aves, Craighall Park.