News & Discussion: Squares and Parklands

[Nort]

Surprised the Parklands Preservation Society aren't protesting this.

So long as the site is landscaped well I expect it would fit in with their aims of the parklands as an open public space. While some hard surfaces go down for skating purposes they aren't really much different than those laid down for paths in other parts of the parklands.

[Nathan]

Surprised the Parklands Preservation Society aren't protesting this.

So long as the site is landscaped well I expect it would fit in with their aims of the parklands as an open public space. While some hard surfaces go down for skating purposes they aren't really much different than those laid down for paths in other parts of the parklands.

We're talking about an organisation that has used a concrete base for a park bench as an example of "erosion of the parklands".

[Nort]

Surprised the Parklands Preservation Society aren't protesting this.

So long as the site is landscaped well I expect it would fit in with their aims of the parklands as an open public space. While some hard surfaces go down for skating purposes they aren't really much different than those laid down for paths in other parts of the parklands.

We're talking about an organisation that has used a concrete base for a park bench as an example of "erosion of the parklands".

You're also talking about an organisation that doesn't protest the yearly races taking over the parklands because it gets people using them.

[claybro]

So long as the site is landscaped well

[Llessur2002]

You're also talking about an organisation that doesn't protest the yearly races taking over the parklands because it gets people using them.

But they will happily protest changing rooms and grounds maintenance facilities next to sporting facilities because they're examples of "alienation from the parklands"...

[Mpol03]

They also won’t allow for a permanent stand to be built for the Clipsal... ten months of the year dedicated to putting up and dismantling that bloody thing.

So smart.

[Bob]

There will be another debate if the Adelaide Crows take over the Aquatic Centre, rebuild & expand it to make it their HQ, Club and training grounds.

Personally as a rate payer of ACC I would be all for it, increased activity for North Adelaide, better use of the area than today and probably be better maintained.

Help further justify the North Adelaide tram extension as well, especially if car parking is expanded and allowed for all users.

We have to protect parklands but we also need to put them to get use, a fine balance I know, but the worse thing is extreme positions one way or the other which benefits no one.

Anyhow I can see the next debate looming if the Crows pursue this option.

[how good is he]

Would the Crows spend many millions building on Crown land (even with a long lease)? What about if they can’t get a commercial loan to fund it (like SMA), will the Govt loan them the money? Would the new centre and ovals still be open to the public when they aren’t using it?

[Waewick]

Would the Crows spend many millions building on Crown land (even with a long lease)? What about if they can’t get a commercial loan to fund it (like SMA), will the Govt loan them the money? Would the new centre and ovals still be open to the public when they aren’t using it?

Lending to a footy club is different to the SMA.

The licence is worth a motza and delivers a consistent level of income. AFC will be able to borrow money.

[how good is he]

Yes I agree & more tongue in cheek as reference to the AO. What does the forum expect would be the cost to demolish & build a new centre plus the ovals etc? Should it incorporate an Aquatic centre? The last one (at Marion) cost $100m.

[Bob]

Having the 5 squares both surrounded by and carved up by high traffic, high noise, wide streets totally writes them off as attractive parks to visit. The Colonel got a few things right with the city plan, but the parks within the city centre he did not. I've seen too many lively city parks in other cities to see it any other way.

Because Light didn't think ahead 150 years to a time where Adelaide would be entirely dependant on private vehicles and result in the prioritisation of vehicles over pedestrians. The best balance of these factors for Adelaide was in the 20s when cars were still a growing thing and people actually prioritised the idea of taking a tram and walking places rather than relying on driving.

The city plan of Adelaide was not really designed by Colonel Light.

The plan was pre-designed by Kingston in London in 1835 of one square mile, 1000 one acre lots, surrounded by four terraces and including five squares and six chains (120m) of reserved parklands from the terraces. The squares form part of the parklands.

Once the team arrived in 1836, Kingston with the help of Fischer, set out to find a suitable location.

Light was given the job as Head Surveyor however he did not have the skills, he merely headed the team, Light’s sole job was to ‘fix’ the location, which Kingston practically did for him.

The final agreed location had terrain restrictions and the waterway (later named Torrens) so the original pre-plan was split into two (South Adelaide & North Adelaide), but as a whole the City of Adelaide.

Apart from Victoria Sq, the other squares did not have the streets running through them, they were squares, parklands, in their true form.

If anyone is interested in the true story of how the City of Adelaide and its design came about, especially focussing on why Adelaide and its parklands are so significant historically, it is well documented in a book which you can borrow through the Library system, it covers everything in detail and was comprehensively researched using historical records of all forms -

Anticipating Municipal Parks
London to Adelaide to Garden City
Donald Leslie Johnson

Adding to the first book I mentioned in my original post, there is another book that may be of interest to anyone keen on learning more about the history of the Adelaide Parklands, and how it has been used and abused since the early days of settlement. This book can also be borrowed through the public library system.

The Adelaide Parklands - a social history
Patricia Sumerling

A summary - 'In The Adelaide Park Lands by Patricia Sumerling recounts tales both enchanting and bizarre from their earliest European settlement until the present day. Where once the Aborigines held their corroborees there are now the many ethnic groups to hold their cultural festivals and dances. They are now also used for weddings, jogging, circuses and flying model aeroplanes.

Fireworks, balloon ascents, tightrope acts and parachuting were replaced later by rifle shooting, army and police training and the digging of air raid shelters. The Park Lands have also been used for some illegal activities such as betting, gambling, fist fights, bashings, sex, rape and murder. However the dominant activity during their entire history has been sport. Sport of any kind has been played, among the earliest being hunting, horse racing, coursing, kangaroo chasing and ostrich racing.

Among the more organised sports have been athletics, polo, baseball, rowing, archery, netball, lacrosse, tennis, hockey, cycling, cricket, swimming, golf, lawn bowls, horse racing and many, many others. Patricia Sumerling has something to say about every one of them. Her story is illuminated by hundreds of black and white photographs. The book is not only very informative but also interesting and a pleasure to read.'

[NTRabbit]

The Adelaide Crows taking over the Aquatic Centre site, demolishing it, and building a new facility is now more than just a rumour

Crows Chief Executive Officer Andrew Fagan issued the following statement in regards to the Federal Government committing $15m towards the Club building a new state-of-the-art facility, which will also provide the foundation for expanded Indigenous programs and enhanced women’s football initiatives, among many other community benefits.

“The Federal Government’s commitment is a significant step forward and provides greater certainty that we can deliver a facility which will both provide benefit and solve problems for multiple stakeholders.

“Given the issues we face at West Lakes, it provides the Club with the ability to establish a state-of-the-art training and administration headquarters in close proximity to Adelaide Oval.

“The facility would replace the ageing aquatic centre in North Adelaide with new fit for purpose facilities for the community, while helping to regenerate the O’Connell Street retail precinct and importantly, allow for the enhanced delivery of significant community initiatives.

“It will strengthen a series of female-focused programs, particularly those aimed at increasing opportunities for young girls and women to pursue careers as administrators and coaches, and deliver dedicated facilities for our AFLW team. This will capitalise on the enormous growth in women’s football across South Australia.

“The masterplan when developed will also include dedicated resources to deliver a range of programs focused on improving opportunities for Indigenous youth across the pillars of education, employment, health and lifestyle.

“In recent weeks, we have spoken to the City of Adelaide about commencing the masterplan process and we will work closely with the Council and all other relevant community stakeholders while we complete this work during 2019.

“We are only in the very early stages and there is a great deal to work through in terms of planning and sourcing further funding, but this is an incredibly important step, and we appreciate the support of the Federal Government.”

[Nathan]

The Crows can fuck right off taking over a community facility. Build your own on private land.

[noted]

The Aquatic Centre reminds me a bit of a classic case of the Government wanting a school to shut down. They plant the seed in the media that the school is struggling and numbers are dropping, but refuse to commit to any expenditure to it. What do you know- no parent wants to send there kid to a school that is on the brink of closure and it no time it is done and dusted.

The Aquatic Centre has been a fait accompli for about two decades now, and quite frankly every time I go there I am surprised to see how many people still frequent it.

[Nathan]

The Aquatic Centre reminds me a bit of a classic case of the Government wanting a school to shut down. They plant the seed in the media that the school is struggling and numbers are dropping, but refuse to commit to any expenditure to it. What do you know- no parent wants to send there kid to a school that is on the brink of closure and it no time it is done and dusted.

The Aquatic Centre has been a fait accompli for about two decades now, and quite frankly every time I go there I am surprised to see how many people still frequent it.

We go there every weekend for swimming lessons, and it's always packed then. All I wish for is better maintenance of the family change rooms (and more of them, and not at the opposite side of the centre from the kids pool).