April 15, 2005
By Lucille Davie
BARKHURST, Nappy Valley, Little Chelsea or Antique Alley? These are just some of the names that Parkhurst, a suburb of some 4 000 people ensconced along the Braamfontein Spruit, has had to fend off over the years.
Barkhurst came from the profusion of dogs in the suburb. With the closeness of the houses, one household's barking dogs inevitably set off the neighbour's dogs, until the street was echoing with a volley of different barks.
Nappy Valley came from the many young couples who moved into the suburb in the 1950s, and who were often seen pushing their babies around the streets in prams. Little Chelsea refers to the 1960s' gentrification of the suburb south of 6th Street, towards the Braamfontein Spruit, a process that was occurring in the London suburb of Chelsea at the same time.
And, Antique Alley is from the blossoming in the mid-1990s of shops in 4th Avenue, Parkhurst's main street - in particular, antique shops.
A Parkhurst street
These and many other intriguing Parkhurst facts can be gleaned from a new fold-out brochure by Tim Truluck, entitled "Resident's Guide to Parkhurst", available free in shops, from estate agents and the local library. All residents have had one put through their mailboxes too.
The publication has been paid for by Parkhurst's retailers, an inoffensive border of small ads in the brochure.
Why the publication? "We have a tremendous turnover of residents in Parkhurst and there have been significant changes in the make-up of the suburb. So I produced something new residents will find useful, and old timers will be able to reconnect with their suburb," says Truluck.
This is Truluck's second Parkhurst publication - a year ago he published the history of Parkhurst - and has subsequently held an informative walkabout of the suburb, which elicited many interesting anecdotes and pictures from residents, providing him with enough material for a second in the history series.
He has published several booklets - a dog-walk series with his four-legged researcher, Pickles, taking in some 30 well-known and not-so-well-known walks in and around the northern suburbs of the city.
The latest brochure will provide you with everything you need to know about the suburb: community information, refuse disposal, services like car washes and ATMs, restaurants and cafes, things to do, doctors and vets, parks and walks, pubs and clubs, street trees, and information on the best of the surrounding suburbs of Parkview, Linden, Craighall Park in a section called "Best of our neighbours".
Keen to see an integrated suburb
Truluck, a Parkhurst resident since 1997, says the suburb's small, renovated homes are being snapped up by a new resident: the generation X home buyer, usually childless couples, gay couples or singles. He is keen to see them become integrated into the suburb and not disappear behind the high, security walls that characterise the northern suburbs.
These residents are in contrast to the empty nesters in the suburb; those who have raised their families and remain in their homes long after their children have gone.
Says old-time resident Edward French: "I've lived here since 1952. Recently, however, I've felt tempted to sell up and flee. Working with [Councillor] Kim Lugli on the Rezoning and By-laws Sub-Committee of the PVA [Parkhurst Village Association] has exposed me to an up-market, 4x4 Dinki meanness of spirit that makes it difficult to associate oneself with the suburb. Your publication has helped me to transcend that feeling. As enthusiastic dog walkers, my family and friends enjoy your occasional guides as well. You've done something really special. Thanks."
What has made Parkhurst popular for newcomers to the home market is that the houses were originally all built on a simple square box format, making it easy to expand outwards to add bathrooms or extra bedrooms. The gardens are pocket-sized, allowing easy maintenance.
But there are more than generation X and empty nesters: "There is a great diversity of residents, from street people, domestic workers, pensioners, immigrants, super rich, dead normal and middle class - you name it, we have got it."
Truluck says Parkhurst residents actively enjoy their suburb. Lots of people walk their dogs in the park and along the river, and, with the burgeoning of pavement cafes along 4th Avenue, eating and chatting to friends in the sunshine has become very popular. The suburb now holds several street festivals each year: a candlelight evening in November, Mother's Day in May and Christmas in July.
Parkhurst has traditionally been known for its profusion of antique shops - in the late 1990s there were over 40 - but in the last year or so decor and design shops have dominated. There are now 27 decor shops and 20 antique shops in 4th Avenue.
Truluck gives his recommendations for the best cocktails, most varied menu, the best coffee, best beer, best view, great pizzas and the most friendly and convenient restaurant. He adds: "I think we need to realise that there is more to living in Joburg than shopping malls and high walls."
Contact Tim Truluck on ttruluck@lantic.net or 011 442 5201 to obtain a copy of "Resident's guide to Parkhurst".
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