Things to see in Green Point on an early morning bike ride

23 January 10 3 Comments

On Saturday morning, I cycled around the Green Point Common area (Fan Walk, IRT Station, pedestrian underpass, CT Stadium, Granger Bay Boulevard, Urban Park) to investigate the car-free recreational cycling opportunities and to check the progress of all the 2010 developments in the area.  The date (23 January) was particularly significant because the first football match ever in the new CT Stadium was due to be played that afternoon (for great pictures of this event, click here). All in all, with the pavement next to the Sea Point Promenade thrown in, I experienced 18km of mainly car-free cycling which I enjoyed so much, I returned the next morning, this time with my sons, Mano and Angelo.
Fan Walk from Station to Stadium. This great new pedestrian and cycle path provides a new connection from the CBD to the CT Stadium, Waterfront, Urban Park and Promenade

Fan Walk from Station to Stadium. This wonderful pedestrian and cycle path provides a new connection from the CBD to the CT Stadium, Waterfront, Urban Park and Promenade

Pedestrian underpass - nearly completed and navigable on a mountain bike
Pedestrian underpass – nearly completed and now navigable on a mountain bike
New IRT Bus Station under construction - designed to handle large crowds before and after matches
IRT Bus Station under construction – designed to handle large crowds before and after matches
An army tent guards the horizon at Fort Wynyard in the shadow of the stadium

An army tent guards the horizon at Fort Wynyard in the shadow of the stadium

Fort Wynyard, a centrally-located and valuable heritage site, is currently under the control of the Cape Garrison Artillery. It was built in 1861 by convicts from the nearly (former) Breakwater Prison, although the site was first used for coastal defences by the Dutch in 1795. It makes sense to open this facility to the public to make it part of the overall Green Point Common experience.

Fort Wynyard, a centrally-located and valuable heritage site, is currently under the control of the Cape Garrison Artillery. It was built in 1861 by convicts from the nearby Breakwater Prison (now UCT Graduate School of Business), although the site was first used for coastal defences by the Dutch in 1795. It makes sense to consider upgrading and opening this facility to the public to make it part of the overall Green Point Common experience. At the moment, grumpy army guards do their best to keep one away from the site.

Green Point Urban Park under construction. I have no doubt that when this facility is completed, it will become one of the best used public open spaces in Cape Town

Green Point Urban Park under construction. I have no doubt that when this facility is completed, it will become one of the best used public open spaces in Cape Town

Mouille Point Lighthouse. The Urban Park will provide a magnificent pedestrian and cycle link between Green Point Main Road and the Sea Point Promenade.

Mouille Point Lighthouse. The Urban Park will provide a magnificent pedestrian and cycle link between Green Point Main Road and the Sea Point Promenade.

Urban Park under construction. A row of cranes that look as if they could be from that best loved children's book Mike Mulligan and his Steam Shovel

Urban Park under construction. A row of cranes that look as if they could be from that best loved children's book Mike Mulligan and his Steam Shovel

Green Point Urban Park under construction

Green Point Urban Park under construction

Different angles. The stadium is framed by Signal Hill and Table Mountain

Different angles. The stadium is framed by Signal Hill and Table Mountain

Different angles: CT Stadium and Devil's Peak

Different angles: CT Stadium and Devil's Peak

Different angles: The stadium resembles a giant paper light in front of Table Mountain

Different angles: The stadium resembles a giant paper lamp in front of Table Mountain

Reporting for duty. Security staff get ready for the first match to be played at the new stadium (Santos vs Ajax Cape Town, 23 January 2010)

Reporting for duty. Security staff get ready for the first match to be played at the new stadium (Santos vs Ajax Cape Town, 23 January 2010)

Mike Mulligan, Mary Anne and friends wave goodbye

Mike Mulligan, Mary Anne and friends wave goodbye

Sunday morning

A club cricket match in a stunning setting - surely more use could be made of these grounds?

A club cricket match in a stunning setting - surely more use could be made of these grounds?

Mano Boraine was keen to pose in front of the CT Stadium tunnel onto the pitch

Mano Boraine was keen to pose in front of the CT Stadium tunnel onto the pitch

Paragliders circle Signal Hill and Lion's Head

Paragliders circle Signal Hill and Lion's Head

Angelo Boraine outside the new CT Stadium

Angelo Boraine outside the new CT Stadium

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3 Comments

  1. Jeremy Boraine 25 January 10 at 21:51 #

    hey bru, glad to see you’re getting on the bike! And I wonder how many got the Mike Mulligan reference?
    J

  2. Jeremy Boraine 25 January 10 at 21:53 #

    You should be a responsible Capetonian and do the Argus.

  3. Percey M 01 February 10 at 11:51 #

    Great shots Andrew!

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