User:Adamaix/Heathfield, Cape Town

Heathfield is a tranquil suburb in Cape Town, South Africa, surrounded by Southfield, Bergfliet and Retreat. Although not a tourist hub, it is well known because of its beautiful lake, Princess Vlei. East shows a picturesque view of the back of table mountain.

History
Short history of how Heathfield was created and affected by the apartheid regime, including the design of the town (only two entrances to blockade Heathfield in the event of an uprising)

Short note on the SA Navy and military with citation

Princess Vlei
Heathfield is renowned for its massive expanse of water called Princess Vlei which stretches along the eastern border comprising of roughly 35 ha with a mean depth of 2.4 m, fed by the Southfield Canal and drains an urban catchment of approximately 800 ha. Princess Vlei is a shallow and eutrophic lake dominated year-round by cyanophyte algal species with underlying diatom and chlorophyte assemblages with significant hydraulic flushing during winter resulting in a clear water phase. Mean annual concentrations of nitrogen and phosphorus are 2,0 and 0,16 mg.l, respectively, with chlorophyll a concentrations averaging 63 μg.l. Hydraulic flushing during the winter plays a significant role in controlling phytoplankton biomass in this system.

In August 2008, the City of Cape Town (a local government municipality) funded R3-million [ZAR] to restore Princess Vlei and its surrounding wetlands over a period of 3 years, which includes clearing alien vegetation, planting indigenous fynbos and building pathways, recreational areas, bomas and bird-watching hides. The Princess Vlei project is a partnership between the City of Cape Town, the SA National Bidodiversity Institute, Working for Wetlands and the non-government conservation group Biowatch.

"“The aim of the project is to transform the Princess Vlei wetlands into a top fynbos sanctuary for recreational and educational use,” says local ward councillor Jan Burger."

A gauging station is located between Little Princess Vlei and Diep-San river, calculating the water flow into the vlei.

The Canals
A man made canal used primarily for stormwater draining flows through heathfield and feeds into little princess vlei.

Plant and Animal life
Native or most frequent plants and animal life resident in Heathfield

Basil D’Oliviera Sports and Recreation Complex
The Basil D’Oliviera Sports and Recreation Complex in Heathfield, named after one of South Africa’s greatest cricketers, is a significant step in sports development in Cape Town.

The focus of the project is to develop and nurture the skills of the many talented young people in the community. Every effort has been made to make the project as broad based as possible. The Complex boasts soccer and cricket ovals as well as an Eco Centre, all in the final stages of completion. In line with the City’s policy of optimally using common resources the Ashford Soccer Club and the St. Augustine’s Cricket Club will form a new sports club. Other sports which will be accommodated are tennis, bowls, non-motorised water activities and an eco-adventure BMX track.

Princess Vlei Eco Adventure Centre
On the 14 MARCH 2003, the City of Cape Town released information on the R1.2 million [ZAR] construction of what is now known as the Princess Vlei Eco Adventure Centre. With very little opportunity for the youth to spend their leisure time in not only a safe environment but also in a positive productive way, the construction of the Princess Vlei Eco Adventure Centre is a welcome addition to the facilities available for the youth in the Heathfield.

The Eco Adventure Centre provides an accessible educational outdoor adventure and recreation facility for Heathfield on land as well as on water.

The Eco Centre is probably one of the most exciting elements of the Basil D’Oliviera Complex - situated adjacent to the Princess Vlei, the facility was developed with the aim of providing a ‘wilderness’ experience for teambuilding and leadership courses. Groups can take on challenges such as rope climbing, kayaking and raft building while the excellent conference facilities provide room for discussion as well as overnight accommodation for about 50 participants. The complex’s interim management team are hoping, in particular, that organisations dealing with ‘youth at risk’ will make use of the facilities with the aim of building character and developing leadership skills.

Ashford Soccer Clubhouse
stuff about that sportfield http://www.ashford.co.za/

Transportation
Heathfield is blessed with being in the central hub of transportation, enjoying relatively low congestion rates whilst simultaneously maintaining it's reputation for quiet streets. This is due primarily to its close proximity to most of the major road and rail interconnects, that flows around the town, yet not through it.

Roads and Highways
m5

m3

main road

retreat road

Railway
Metrorail - transfer between the Suburban line and Cape Flats line.

Education
short summary of the available schools:

Prominent People in Heathfield

 * Basil D'Oliveira, a retire South African professional cricket player.
 * Benni McCarthy, a South African professional soccer player.