After 900 cities were invited to enter for the international garden city competition in 1996, Pretoria was chosen from 300 entries as the A Outstanding Garden City of the World in its category and awarded a Golden Trophy. The city`s parks are as beautiful now as they were then and are valued highly by the city`s residents.

Burgers Park ***

This 4 hectare park is located in the city centre. Developed in 1872 as Pretoria`s botanic garden, Burgers Park is one of the best examples of a late Victorian park anywhere. It was proclaimed a National Monument in the 1970s. Burgers Park was the national winner of the larger parks category in the Townscape Millennium Open Spaces competition in 1999.

Entrances to the park are in Jacob Mare Street (opposite Melrose House), van der Walt Street and Andries Street. Open daily, closed at sunset in winter and at 22:00 in summer.

Jan Cilliers Park ***

Also known as Protea Park, this park is situated in the suburb of Groenkloof on the northern slopes of Klapperkop Hill. The park focusses on South African indigenous plants and has beautiful views of the city and the Union Buildings.

Starting in the city centre next to Melrose House and Burgers Park, drive eastwards in Jacob Mare Street, continue eastwards through Sunnyside in Rissik Street and Walker Street, turn southwards into Queen Wilhelmina Drive at Magnolia Dell, cross George Storrar Drive and turn right at the traffic lights into Wenning Street. The park is on the corner of Wenning and Broderick Streets and the entrance is in Broderick Street.

The park is unfenced and accessible at all times.

Magnolia Dell ***

Nestling in the valley of the Walker Spruit lies this very popular city park. The park hosts three events each month that are all worth a visit, the Magnolia Craft Market on the first Saturday of every month, Art in the Park and the Moonlight Market. The park has a popular restaurant for light meals and teas known as Huckleberry`s. The park is unfenced and accessible at all times. The entrance is in Queen Wilhelmina Drive.

Springbok Park ***

This 3 hectare indigenous wooded park is situated in Hatfield next to two major roads, Pretorius Street and Schoeman Street. It is much loved by the citizens of Pretoria, especially for wedding photos. It was declared a National Monument in the 1970s. The Dros Restaurant was recently opened in the park. The parking area is in Grosvenor Street and the entrances to the park are in Pretorius, Schoeman and Grosvenor Streets. Open at all times.

Venning Park ***

3 hectares in extent, this park is located in a busy part of Arcadia, next to the American Embassy and the Indian High Commission. It is a beautiful formal park with roses and a sunken garden with colourful beds of annual flowers. The Heavenly Rose Café in the park is a popular venue for weddings, tourists, businessmen and residents of the city.