Golden Harvest Park

About Golden Harvest Park

Golden Harvest Park is situated just behind the Northgate Coca Cola Dome in the northern suburb of Northwold, in Johannesburg. The park is beautiful, a space in which people enjoy walking their dogs and a great place to spot birds, such as the Ovambo sparrow hawk, one of several types of sparrow hawk believed to be breeding in the park.

The park is large – some 55 hectares - and includes some great walks, as well as the opportunity to fish, mountain bike and stroll around the main dam where, at the very least, you will come across a series of geese who regard you as an unwanted visitor to their space. The park has been here since the 70's, a wise move by the local municipality at the time, who realised that this part of Johannesburg would mushroom the way that it has, and so acted to provide a green space for locals. It's not well known, and has been left relatively unspoilt since then, hence it is filled with largely untouched indigenous bushveld, and provides one with a semblance of fresh air away from the myriad developments in the area.

Locals not only walk their dogs here, they also use the picturesque setting for wedding, engagement photography sessions, and to escape the hubbub that dominates the mall-frenetic lifestyle that dominates the northern suburbs of the city.

As with all parks and green spaces in the city, you should always walk in large groups, even if the park is fenced along the perimeter and there is a guard at the gate. And take along a local field identification guidebook so that you can explore the grasses, trees and bird life. There is also a little koppie at which there are the remains of an ancient iron smelting works.