Liesbeek River and Park, Cape Town

Liesbeek River is only 9 km long and arises as several streams off the Eastern slopes of Table Mountain above Kirstenbosch, winding through Bishopscourt, Rondebosch, Newlands, Rosebank, Mowbray and Observatory, eventually emptying into Table Bay at Paarden Eiland. The Upper Liesbeek River Garden is in Bishopscourt Village, alongside the river on land regarded as 'undeveloped public open space'. It is funded and maintained by the Bishopscourt Residents' Association, City Council, personal trusts, and local estate agents. Until 2004 this Area was largely overgrown with alien vegetation and used as a Dumping Ground. Locals worked to remove invasive alien vegetation, replacing it with Indigenous River Plants, in a bid to maintain a healthy river and to make it safe for people to use the Area. On the banks of the River is a Boardwalk and there are a variety of benches, picnic Areas and paths dotted in amongst the Paths and plants. Dogs have to stay on leads, but it is a safe space for children and is wheelchair friendly!