News & Discussion: Squares and Parklands

[pushbutton]

I have always thought that the parklands could be divided up into themed zones.

For example you could have different areas including a Japanese Garden, an adventure playground with garden mazes etc, a wetlands area, an Australian native garden, a water garden with water features etc, a pet friendly zone, a smelly plant/flower garden, a topiary and art themed garden etc etc.

Having a number of themed areas would mean that the Parklands would become a destination and tourist attraction in their own right. To help with the cost of establishment and maintenance, businesses could sponsor or co-sponsor gardens with subtle signage that is integrated into the main entrance of each garden.

Not only does that sound like a brilliant idea, but it should be the most obvious solution to anyone with any imagination! I'm astounded that it hasn't already been done at least 20 years ago!

[crawf]

What I would like to see, is something done with the northern parklands along Robe Terrace. If you look at those parklands whilst driving you feel like you are in some random country area, topped off with the country-style wired fencing. Tbh I wouldn't even call it parklands, it's a paddock.

Yet over to the other side of Robe Terrace there is lovely old homes and is beautifully landscaped.

[monotonehell]

What I would like to see, is something done with the northern parklands along Robe Terrace. If you look at those parklands whilst driving you feel like you are in some random country area, topped off with the country-style wired fencing. Tbh I wouldn't even call it parklands, it's a paddock.

Yet over to the other side of Robe Terrace there is lovely old homes and is beautifully landscaped.

Isn't that where some people keep horses?

[mattblack]

Yes its Parkland 6. Horses that are used in events in the city (such as circuses) are kept there.

[serca]

I have always thought that the parklands could be divided up into themed zones.

For example you could have different areas including a Japanese Garden, an adventure playground with garden mazes etc, a wetlands area, an Australian native garden, a water garden with water features etc, a pet friendly zone, a smelly plant/flower garden, a topiary and art themed garden etc etc.

Having a number of themed areas would mean that the Parklands would become a destination and tourist attraction in their own right. To help with the cost of establishment and maintenance, businesses could sponsor or co-sponsor gardens with subtle signage that is integrated into the main entrance of each garden.

There is a brilliant Japanese Garden in the south Parklands already called Himeji Garden .

[Nathan]

There is a brilliant Japanese Garden in the south Parklands already called Himeji Garden .

Yes, it is good, but also very small. Would be nice to see it substantially expanded, but unfortunately unlikely given the sister-city connection isn't as strong as it used to be.

[omada]

That makes me wonder why sister city relationships are established in the first place. Can anyone shed any light on this ? And are these relationships now more uncommon, are they are thing of the past?

[rhino]

In the past year I have spoken to people from Austin and Christchurch, neither of whom had any idea what I was talking about when I said that they were sister cities of Adelaide. I've never met anyone from Himeji.

I wonder if we can build a Christchurch Garden somewhere in the parklands, and set it up on a false base so that the whole thing can shake at regular intervals, and bits of garden wall can fall over, etc. ?

As for our slogan - "Adelaide - Heaps Good" - I like Austin's - "Keep Austin Wierd!"

[ouchjars]

In the past year I have spoken to people from Austin and Christchurch, neither of whom had any idea what I was talking about when I said that they were sister cities of Adelaide. I've never met anyone from Himeji.

I wonder if anyone from New Orleans even knows where Holdfast Bay is.

[Nathan]

Going back to the announced parklands project - does anyone know what the open space at the northern end of Bonython Park (opposite the brewery & kennards storage) is used for? The middle/south part is used for events - but I can't recall seeing the northern part used for much beyond being a yellowed dustbowl. Just thinking that is kind of redunant having both that, and the open space for off leash dogs in the new plan - given they're mostly opposite each other with the river inbetween. Keep one open, and plant in the other space. A greener and more vegetated space - more along the lines of Botanic Park - would be quite nice for the area, while leaving other open spaces for sports and events in the greater context of Park 27.

[MessiahAndrw]

As for our slogan - "Adelaide - Heaps Good" - I like Austin's - "Keep Austin Wierd!"

I personally don't like that slogan.

• "Heaps Good" sound like Kiwi slang more than Australian slang.
• It sounds like an empty statement.
  "Adelaide's heaps good."
  "What's so good about it?"
  "It's heaps good."
  "Tell me something specific."
  "It's heaps good."

[claybro]

Just happened to visit the park created in the old SA Water depot. Was at Stepney Salvage, and wandered across to take a look. Not a person in sight. Poor visibility from the road, a dead tree in the middle and already the whole thing is looking untidy and under watered. What is the point of spending millions of dollars on these pockets of the parklands if they are not to be maintained. The layout of this park does not really lend itself to anythng useful, and as the trails end in...well nothing, it is of little use to anyone. It also looks very shabby from the crner of Port road...not a nice entrance to the city, with more dead native grass in some sort of dryland creek setting.Now compare to the park created on the other side of Port road some 60 years ago, the southern end of Bonython Park. Green lawns, large trees and simple garden beds, and poeple using it. I fear that the Victoria Park developement will follow in the same vein. Heres an idea for the council...instead of spending millions in creating unusable space, opt for wide lawns, large shade trees and maybe some ponds here and there, BBQ and tenis court or two.The most popular of our parks all have these features in common. In other words. 1.KEEP IT SIMPLE. 2. KEEP IT MAINTAINED.3. KEEP IT GREEN.

[crawf]

Actually I think this was a State Government project, not the ACC. And yes I agree, it's very underwhelming.

[JAKJ]

1.KEEP IT SIMPLE. 2. KEEP IT MAINTAINED.3. KEEP IT GREEN.

I agree it is an absolute disgrace that the acc has dropped the ball in watering the parklands. They should be kept green at all times, particularly with the recycled sewerage pipeline from Glenelg water conservation is not an issue. If cost is an issue the state government should fund it. It creates such a negative impression of poverty for the city having dustbowls in summer surrounding the CBD instead of lush green grass/ plants.

[claybro]

Another area that is an absolute discrace is the Northern approach from Prospect and Main Nth Roads. This area of dry scrub is not the sort of entrance to North Adelaide we should want. I know that native scrub is all the rage,and in the right setting is very attractive, and I know the whole parklands can not be watered and mowed, but these areas at the main entrance points to the city, should be a green and inviting environment. The scrub is better suited to wide open vistas, maybe in strips through the open spaces in the middle of the parklands.