{"id":308954,"date":"2026-06-05T16:12:06","date_gmt":"2026-06-05T14:12:06","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/bloemnewsexpress\/?p=308954"},"modified":"2026-06-05T16:12:07","modified_gmt":"2026-06-05T14:12:07","slug":"new-joy-at-happy-valley-and-reservoir-island","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/bloemnewsexpress\/new-joy-at-happy-valley-and-reservoir-island\/","title":{"rendered":"New joy at Happy Valley and Reservoir Island"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p>With the fence going up around Reservoir Island soon, the work at the extended Westdene Park is moving along quickly.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The fence is part of the second phase for establishing the Westdene Park Conservancy, which will stretch from General Hertzog Street all the way around Happy Valley Street, to also encompass Happy Valley.\n<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"768\" data-attachment-id=\"308955\" data-permalink=\"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/bloemnewsexpress\/new-joy-at-happy-valley-and-reservoir-island\/westdenehappyvalley_62599\/\" data-orig-file=\"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/bloemnewsexpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/WestdeneHappyValley_62599.jpeg\" data-orig-size=\"1200,900\" data-comments-opened=\"1\" data-image-meta=\"{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;orientation&quot;:&quot;0&quot;}\" data-image-title=\"WestdeneHappyValley_62599\" data-image-description=\"&lt;p&gt;Tables and benches at Happy Valley was recently painted by Forklift Truck OFS. PHOTO: Lientjie Mentz&lt;\/p&gt;\n\" data-image-caption=\"&lt;p&gt;Tables and benches at Happy Valley was recently painted by Forklift Truck OFS. PHOTO: Lientjie Mentz&lt;\/p&gt;\n\" data-large-file=\"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/bloemnewsexpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/WestdeneHappyValley_62599-1024x768.jpeg\" src=\"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/bloemnewsexpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/WestdeneHappyValley_62599-1024x768.jpeg\" alt=\"Tables and benches at Happy Valley was recently painted by Forklift Truck OFS. \" class=\"wp-image-308955\" srcset=\"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/bloemnewsexpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/WestdeneHappyValley_62599-1024x768.jpeg 1024w, https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/bloemnewsexpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/WestdeneHappyValley_62599-300x225.jpeg 300w, https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/bloemnewsexpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/WestdeneHappyValley_62599-768x576.jpeg 768w, https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/bloemnewsexpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/WestdeneHappyValley_62599.jpeg 1200w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Tables and benches at Happy Valley was recently painted by Forklift Truck OFS. PHOTO: Lientjie Mentz<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>Michael Deutschmann, manager of the Westdene Neighbourhood Association (WNA), which is working on the whole <a href=\"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/bloemnewsexpress\/westdene-parks-open-air-open-to-all-members\/\" type=\"link\" id=\"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/bloemnewsexpress\/westdene-parks-open-air-open-to-all-members\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Westdene Park<\/a> development, says things are progressing nicely.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>With support from Forklift Truck OFS, the tables and seating areas in Happy Valley was painted, and new benches and bike stands were installed. Deutschmann says members of the mountain biking community are especially excited about the development that will also see Happy Valley fenced in and secured. Happy Valley is often a venue for championships of this sport. On 20 June the Free State XCO Championships will be held here, and on 18 and 19 July the South African and inter-provincial championships.\n<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>As is in the original Westdene Park, were seven springboks were settled in throughout the last couple of months, some game will also be moved to Reservoir Island. Walking trails like the ones created in Westdene Park, will also be developed here. All of this development has been made possible by donations from local businesses and residents.\n<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Not only residents of Westdene, Dan Pienaar and Arboretum are welcome to join as members of the Westdene Park Conservancy; all residents of Bloemfontein who enjoy nature can become part of this project. Members pay a fee to access the park. Visit Westdene Park on Facebook.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>All residents of Bloemfontein who enjoy cycling and walks in nature can become members of the Friends of 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