Quiet, friendly and with a strong sense of community, it’s easy to see why this Port Elizabeth suburb is so loved by families.
The suburb of Newton Park is ideally placed, close to many amenities, with Greenacres, Fernglen, Perridgevale and Adcockvale all nearby.
The Third Avenue dip, where Newton Park crosses through the Baakens River Valley along Third Avenue, is a well-known feature of Newton Park. Before the William Mo¬ffett Expressway was built, the Third Avenue dip was the main route between Walmer and Newton Park. It’s still a popular shortcut for residents travelling from Newton Park to Mangold Park, Lorraine and Walmer.
Emily van Heerden, who has lived in Newton Park for 20 years, says she was drawn to the area because it’s very family-oriented. “Schools and shops are close by and it’s a very big family neighbourhood. You often see people walking their animals or taking evening walks or runs,” she says.
She says the suburb is very peaceful. “It’s a great neighbourhood to raise young children as there are two main primary schools in the area (Herbert Hurd Primary School and Laerskool Newton Park), as well as several crèches and daycare centres. It’s a central neighbourhood and it doesn’t take more than 20 minutes to get to Walmer or Central and the western suburbs, including Baywest.”
Emily says there’s a strong sense of community in Newton Park. “We’ve developed a neighbourhood watch group. This has brought our community closer together as everyone looks out for one another.”
She says her house is comfortable and has an open design and a big back garden. “Some houses in the area are newer and more modern. Ours is somewhere in between. But purely from the point of view of Newton Park being a family-centred neighbourhood, our house fits that.”
Newton Park also has the convenience of shopping centres or hubs in all directions, namely Spar in Third Avenue, Pick n Pay in Fourth Avenue, Checkers in Sixth Avenue and the Continental Butchery and Delicatessen building in Glen Hurd Drive.
It’s a quiet and friendly neighbourhood. People are always helping each other out. For instance, if someone's dog gets out or if there's a problem, you always know your neighbours and others would be willing to help.
-Emily van Heerden, resident.
Things to do in and around Newton Park:
- Visit Greenacres and The Bridge shopping centres.
- Play a round of golf at nearby “The Hill”, Port Elizabeth Golf Club.
- Walk the 7,5km Lower Guinea Fowl Hiking Trail, accessed from the Third Avenue dip in Newton Park, leading down to Settlers Park and Brickmakers Kloof.
- “The dip”, as locals call it, is also a good starting point for mountain biking.
- The Newton Park section of the Baakens River Valley offers good bird-watching.
Schools near Newton Park, Port Elizabeth:
- Newton Park Pre-Primary School
- Laerskool Newtonpark
- Herbert Hurd Primary School
- Alexander Road High School
- Mowbray Pre-Primary
- Insight Learning Centre
- Westview High School
- Sunflower Montessori School
- Stimulantia Private School
Dine out in Newton Park:
- The Music Kitchen: for live music in a chilled atmosphere
- Silver Cloud Spur: for family-friendly eating out
- Grillers: for American diner-style meals
- Eataly Restaurant: for fantastic specials in a great atmosphere
- The Sandwich Shop Newton Park: for sandwiches, subs, wraps and salads
- The Bridge at Greenacres shopping centre: for a wide variety of eateries
This article originally appeared in Neighbourhood,Sunday Times.
