WORDS: LOUISE LIEBENBERG IMAGES: SALVELIO MEYER, SHUTTERSTOCK
Artist Esmé Goosen works from home and says her art students find it easy to reach her studio from most parts of Port Elizabeth.
“One of the reasons my husband and I decided to buy a house in Greenshields Park more than 10 years ago was because it’s so central,” she says.
The suburb is conveniently placed to slip into traffic with ease. It’s bordered by Main Road, the William Moffett Expressway/17th Avenue, and Buffelsfontein Road, so you can easily head into any direction. Neighbouring suburbs are Walmer, Springfield and Walmer Heights.
“We’re just two streets down from Main Road, Walmer, but it’s quiet and we are not bothered by traffic or noise. We have a quiet suburb with a harmonious diversity of cultures. We’re also close to the airport, as well as to doctors, dentists, chemists and different therapists, and there’s a Mediclinic down the road,” Esmé says.
Geoff Applewhite, his wife and two sons have lived here for four and a half years. “My wife liked the house and it was central to our needs,” Geoff says. “The plot seemed a bit bigger than others in the area going closer to Buffelsfontein Road.” Geoff bought the house with a wooden deck in need of repair. “I replaced it with a solid deck, which is much bigger, so we spend a lot of time outside,” he says. They also have plans to complete a granny flat which the previous owners had started.
There’s little information on how Greenshields Park was established. “I’ve heard it was built as a SA Railways or Transnet housing development for their employees, but I can’t confirm this,” Geoff says.
Property
Greenshields Park is mostly made up of free-standing homes, townhouses and retirement centres. “House prices are still reasonable and the older houses have larger plots,” Esmé says. “Verges are wide, allowing plenty of space for visitor parking.”
Geoff adds, “Our house was priced well within our budget and we believe we got a bargain.” This is a family-oriented suburb and many homes also have granny flats. We should be able to sell for about one and a half times more than what we bought for, even without upgrading our granny flat,” he says.
“We’ve never had an issue with security, but our neighbour was broken into one night. I believe it’s a sign of the times and is no worse than in any other suburb.” Various security companies have a presence and there’s a WhatsApp group informing residents.
Schools
The nearest primary schools are Walmer West, Clarendon Park, Theodor Herzl, Brylin and Willow Academy, and the nearest high schools are DF Malherbe and Theodor Herzl, which are within walking distance.
Greenshields Park is peaceful, quiet and nicely tucked away from the business of nearby Walmer GEOFF APPLEWHITE, RESIDENT
EAT
- Fig Tree Park has the Eagle Ridge Spur and an Ocean Basket.
- Moffett on Main has Simply Asia, Roast Master Cafe and a new eatery called The Ploughman.
- There are KFC and Nando’s drive-throughs at 17th Quarter.
- Walmer Park has numerous eateries, including a new-look Capellini.
- Eateries close by include the Rose Garden at Floradale Nurseries in Circular Drive, as well as Brioche, Fine Time Steak, Banneton, and Hello It’s Me, all in Main Road.
SHOP
- Moffett on Main, Greenshields Park: Checkers, Edge gym, decor outlets and other shops, including an art supply store
- 17th Quarter, Greenshields Park: Kloppers, Gelmar, Tekkie Town and other shops
- Walmer Park shopping centre: Pick n Pay, Woolworths and many other stores
- Greenshields Superette: the iconic Greenshields Bakery, a pub, disco hire, and trailer and a bakkie rental
- The Italian Craftsman: manufacturer of concrete garden ornaments, is in Heron Street
DO
- Moffett on Main houses an indoor children’s play park Funky Frogs.
- Moffett on Main also offers glow-in-the-dark putt-putt, and go-karting in its basement.
- There’s an Edge Gym at Moffett on Main and a Viva Gym at 17th Quarter.
- There are several parks and the quiet streets often see children at play, runners, or people walking their dogs.
