News & Discussion: Squares and Parklands

[claybro]

This development aside- I was over in SA last weekend and was pleasantly surprised by the improvement in public areas in and around Adelaide in general. Formal parks seem to be better maintained in the CBD. The riverbank precinct has definateley improved, and where appropriate the irrigation seems to be working and used. The road medians and verges are looking better, even my old stomping ground of Port Road through Charles Sturt is looking green and well kept, (well done Charles Sturt). Despite people in SA telling me what a dry winter it was...the whole city looked green, and cool despite the oppressive heat of Friday. Henley Square on Friday evening was heaving, and the new area outside the Ramsgate really compliments the square. Was great to get back and see all the developments I see on here, overall Adelaide has a buzz (even away from the cricket) and looks prosperous and well maintained. Well done SA.

I grew up in the same area and this made me smile. I adore Henley Beach. it's really becoming something quite quaint and a little special. I too notice improvements when I return home. It's fantastic to see green spaces used and kept in a way they weren't before.

@Algernon I completely agree. Though I don't know if a rework of the Torrens could ever happen, keeping this level of development through the entire parklands will really transform the inner burns and make the city and burbs feel more connected. Small events could happen in these areas as well. You could for example expand the Fringe and have events throughout most of the parklands. There is SO much more that can be done with them. If they are to remain undeveloped, then let's bring them to life. I truly think they could become a real attraction and talking point for the city if done well.

Regarding the parklands, even they are a far improvement from a decade ago. The “ lock up the parklands and do nothing “ brigade seems to have been sidestepped. Many areas are now well lit at night. There is more true green space. Developments such as the hospital, and the WACH site have created a bit of life, where there was only degraded rail yards, and the ugly barracks, and has created more of a link, so the CBD does not feel so cut off from the inner northwest. The old brewery site redeveloped and ongoing Bowden will only improve that link, and use of once empty desolate parks, with more cycle commuters, joggers and dog walkers from all the apartments. The VIC Park area also is looking promising. Overall, the parklands are getting far more use, and far more maintenance than I can ever remember from my time in SA.

[Mpol02]

I think my issue is the south western side tennis and netball courts that are so unkept ( that could have changed in not sure) and the northern side where it’s a dust bowl and horses are roaming about. Activating these areas would be a big help.

Theres just so much space, so much that can be done. Glad to hear it’s on the up

[claybro]

I think my issue is the south western side tennis and netball courts that are so unkept ( that could have changed in not sure) and the northern side where it’s a dust bowl and horses are roaming about. Activating these areas would be a big help.

Theres just so much space, so much that can be done. Glad to hear it’s on the up

That area of the netball courts has the unfortunate issue of being a sort of traffic island.. wedged between major roads, and relatively small in area. If not for the courts, it would never be used. Still, I agree more coukd be done to landscape this entry to the city. As for the horses, I did pass that way last week, and actually found it reassuring to see them still there. But I do live in the country here… so each to their own.

[PD2/20]

I think my issue is the south western side tennis and netball courts that are so unkept ( that could have changed in not sure) and the northern side where it’s a dust bowl and horses are roaming about. Activating these areas would be a big help.

Theres just so much space, so much that can be done. Glad to hear it’s on the up

The Park 22 netball courts were upgraded in 2017/18.

[Mpol02]

I think my issue is the south western side tennis and netball courts that are so unkept ( that could have changed in not sure) and the northern side where it’s a dust bowl and horses are roaming about. Activating these areas would be a big help.

Theres just so much space, so much that can be done. Glad to hear it’s on the up

The Park 22 netball courts were upgraded in 2017/18.

I think so long as they are up-kept and made to look seamless. They looked so grim before their upgrade

[SRW]

I think my issue is the south western side tennis and netball courts that are so unkept ( that could have changed in not sure) and the northern side where it’s a dust bowl and horses are roaming about. Activating these areas would be a big help.

Theres just so much space, so much that can be done. Glad to hear it’s on the up

That area of the netball courts has the unfortunate issue of being a sort of traffic island.. wedged between major roads, and relatively small in area. If not for the courts, it would never be used. Still, I agree more coukd be done to landscape this entry to the city. As for the horses, I did pass that way last week, and actually found it reassuring to see them still there. But I do live in the country here… so each to their own.

It's not the netball courts but the area closest to Grenhill Road that appears so barren. This parkland is essentially forfeited as a dusty carpark for the courts and the Royal Adelaide Show, and receive no maintenance. The solution is to end car parking and upgrade the area for the apartments going up along Greenhill but there's at least two challenges: (1) Unley Council is not obligated to contribute to a benefit for their residents, and (2) I think ACC has agreed access with the Show until 2030s.

[Patrick_27]

I think my issue is the south western side tennis and netball courts that are so unkept ( that could have changed in not sure) and the northern side where it’s a dust bowl and horses are roaming about. Activating these areas would be a big help.

Theres just so much space, so much that can be done. Glad to hear it’s on the up

That area of the netball courts has the unfortunate issue of being a sort of traffic island.. wedged between major roads, and relatively small in area. If not for the courts, it would never be used. Still, I agree more coukd be done to landscape this entry to the city. As for the horses, I did pass that way last week, and actually found it reassuring to see them still there. But I do live in the country here… so each to their own.

It's not the netball courts but the area closest to Grenhill Road that appears so barren. This parkland is essentially forfeited as a dusty carpark for the courts and the Royal Adelaide Show, and receive no maintenance. The solution is to end car parking and upgrade the area for the apartments going up along Greenhill but there's at least two challenges: (1) Unley Council is not obligated to contribute to a benefit for their residents, and (2) I think ACC has agreed access with the Show until 2030s.

I'm not sure what happened to it, probably the 'parkland brigade' as previously mentioned, but this section of the parklands was earmarked for a new State Hockey Centre (to replace the one out at Gepps Cross) to be co-funded and maintained by Adelaide and Burnside Hockey Clubs. It was pretty far along in the planning stages, not sure what happened to it, but it certainly wasn't abandoned for lack of interest or investment.

[Nort]

meanwhile in Melbourne

I prefer this sort of thing to the dusty semi arid Adelaide park

As has been said, this looks almost exactly like the Adelaide Botanic Gardens and to a lesser extent Rymill Park.

Purely hypothetically, what would it even cost to irrigate the entire parklands to that level of year round lushness?

[abc]

meanwhile in Melbourne

I prefer this sort of thing to the dusty semi arid Adelaide park

As has been said, this looks almost exactly like the Adelaide Botanic Gardens and to a lesser extent Rymill Park.

Purely hypothetically, what would it even cost to irrigate the entire parklands to that level of year round lushness?

there's already a stormwater pipeline from Glenelg to the city for this. this is more of a labour issue than a water issue.

[NTRabbit]

That area of the netball courts has the unfortunate issue of being a sort of traffic island.. wedged between major roads, and relatively small in area. If not for the courts, it would never be used. Still, I agree more coukd be done to landscape this entry to the city. As for the horses, I did pass that way last week, and actually found it reassuring to see them still there. But I do live in the country here… so each to their own.

It's not the netball courts but the area closest to Grenhill Road that appears so barren. This parkland is essentially forfeited as a dusty carpark for the courts and the Royal Adelaide Show, and receive no maintenance. The solution is to end car parking and upgrade the area for the apartments going up along Greenhill but there's at least two challenges: (1) Unley Council is not obligated to contribute to a benefit for their residents, and (2) I think ACC has agreed access with the Show until 2030s.

I'm not sure what happened to it, probably the 'parkland brigade' as previously mentioned, but this section of the parklands was earmarked for a new State Hockey Centre (to replace the one out at Gepps Cross) to be co-funded and maintained by Adelaide and Burnside Hockey Clubs. It was pretty far along in the planning stages, not sure what happened to it, but it certainly wasn't abandoned for lack of interest or investment.

All I could find was an article from 2017 where the ACC knocked back the plan to use Park 17 due to opposition from APLA and local residents, and instead suggested that the Hockey people consider Park 22. The response was it might work but we really want Park 17 so please reconsider, and I can't find anything newer than that.