DURBAN BOTANIC GARDENS

St Thomas Road gate to be closed on Saturdays and Sundays, entrance through Sydenham Road.

Those attending the Old Mutual Music at the Lake Valentine Concert at the Durban Botanic Gardens which starts at 19h00 (see separate article) are reminded that they need to use the Sydenham Road entrance.

The Durban Botanic Gardens remains a highly popular outdoor venue for people of all ages and has become a firm favourite for picnics, conferences and weddings. In order to make the Gardens a safer venue for all, the management has decided to close the St Thomas Road gate on Saturdays and Sundays.

This entrance will remain open from Monday to Friday between 07h30 to 17h15.The entrances off Sydenham Road (ie Tea Kiosk and Visitors Complex) will remain open seven days a week from 07h30 until 17h15. Both of these entrances offer secure parking“.

“This decision was made in the best interests of our visitors to ensure their comfort and safety”, said Curator Christopher Dalzell. “We have found that visitors so often ignore the Rules regulating the use of the Gardens even though they are clearly displayed at each entrance. We are making an appeal to the public to acknowledge and adhere to them.

“A botanical garden contains valuable plant collections which have important conservation significance which is unlike a park, and therefore the playing of ball games and riding bicycles and scooters is prohibited. Sadly, the plant collections are damaged when children run through the flower beds, or climb trees to rescue lost balls and Frisbees - and run-away bikes and scooters do pose a danger to other visitors. Please help us to help you by preserving this wonderful heritage garden which is now 159 years old!”

For more information, contact the Office of the Friends of the Durban Botanic Gardens on 031 202 5819 (o/h) or the Info Centre on 031 309 1170 (weekends).