mime-version: 1.0 date: Wed, 23 Jan 2008 10:15:10 +0200 content-transfer-encoding: quoted-printable content-location: http://web.capetown.gov.za/eDocuments/city_parks_new_garden_of_eden_261020071207_.htm x-mimeole: Produced By Microsoft MimeOLE V6.00.2900.2180 from: subject: Rejuvenation for City's green heart , Aug 2007 content-type: text/html; charset="utf-8" =EF=BB=BF Rejuvenation for City's green heart , Aug 2007
City Parks News, August=20 2007
Visit the Garden of Eden in the heart of=20 suburbia
Constantia Bulletin
Thursday, August 30=20 2007
Karen Watkins

In the heart of Bergvliet is o= ne of=20 the suburbs best-kept secrets, but not any more. The Bulletin went a= long=20 to find Die Oog.

The small bird sanctuary and nature reserve = is=20 surrounded by suburbia. At its centre is an old dam, built around 17= 16,=20 providing a sanctuary for ducks and a breeding area for the endanger= ed=20 leopard toad.

In 2005 the exotic fish were =E2=80=9Cremoved= =E2=80=9D and the dam=20 was restocked with indigenous varieties. In the middle is an island,= a=20 major roosting site for egrets, hadeda and sacred ibises and reed=20 cormorants.

At a recent count, 260 egrets, 160 sacred ibis, s= even=20 cormorants, two herons and a pied kingfisher were noted. Die Oog is = part=20 of the surviving indigenous green belt of the Constantia Valley.
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It=20 comprises a unique area of wetland and granite fynbos and is a vital= =20 environmental stepping-stone in the Sand River catchment area. Apart= from=20 being a habitat for water and other birds and the leopard toad, it=20 supports a small patch of highly threatened granite fynbos.

T= he=20 Friends of Die Oog have undertaken an extensive and ongoing programm= e of=20 rehabilitation in collaboration with the City of Cape Town, with the= aid=20 of grants from the Critical Ecosystem Partnership Fund of the USA an= d the=20 Rowland and Leta Hill Trust, which is managed by the World Wildlife = Fund=20 of South Africa.

A viewing platform overlooks the seasonal we= tland=20 and views across the Constantia Valley to the mountains beyond. Die = Oog is=20 open to the public. To visit it, take the M5 / Blue Route and then t= ake=20 the ladies mile turn-off. Drive away from the mountain, in the direc= tion=20 of the Main Road, and cross the traffic circle and Firgrove Way. At = the=20 next traffic lights, turn right into Homestead Avenue. Take the thir= d road=20 to the left, Timber Way, right into Pekalmy and then left into Lake = View=20 and right into Middlewood Avenue. The enterance gate to Die Oog is o= n the=20 right. Dogs are not allowed.

Friends of Die Oog are holding t= heir=20 AGM on Thursday September 13 at 5:30pm, at Die Oog. The speaker is=20 councillor Debbie Schafer, followed by the opening of the viewing=20 platform.
=C2=A9 City of Cape Town 20= 01 - 2007=20