With SA’s bicentenary a mere 11 years away, wouldn’t it be a great legacy for future generations if we could implement a bold vision to substantially spruce up the parklands to create a truly great urban park?
I’ve looked at posts on this discussion going back to 2007 (17 years ago), and the laments over dry barren dustbowls is just as relevant today. Nothing has changed despite countless plans and visions.
We should use the 2036 bicentenary as a one-off generational capital investment into the parklands. This may mean something like (I’m guessing) $300-600 million expenditure, but spread over the next 11 years, it’s actually a relatively modest investment per year.
The below Riverbank Master Plan from 2013 with a redeveloped Bonython Park with wetlands is a great place to start. Nothing has ever happened with this.
https://www.slideshare.net/lmannix1/med ... ion-240613
In addition, let’s implement other sensible proposals to make the parklands into a more attractive destination, beautify them, increase amenity, make them easier to access and make them safer. Ideas include:
- BEAUTIFY/SAFETY: Substantial amount of avenue planting of trees along West, South and East Tce, along with all roads cutting through the parklands. Also avenue plantings along major walkways and bikeways through the parklands, with much improved lighting.
- DESTINATION: Bonython Park rejuvenation with wetlands and water play areas (rename as Bicentennial Park maybe)
- DESTINATION: Build new world-class adventure playgrounds with real “wow” factor to service the Adelaide CBD and surrounding suburbs. Locations could be: Victoria Park (east), adjacent to new Adelaide Aquatic Centre (north), corner South Tce and King William Rd (south) and extension to existing playground at Bonython Park (west).
- DESTINATION/BEAUTIFY: Create an integrated landscaped riverbank along the Torrens between the weir and King William St bridge. With high quality walking/bike paths, seating, new landscaping and boardwalks. Make this well-lit at night.
The transition between the Riverbank walkway (in front of the Convention Centre) and the grassy lawns leading to the River Torrens is absolutely terrible. This should be re-made into a beautifully landscaped terrace which steps down to the lawns.
- DESTINATION: Extend the Himeji Japanese garden concept to include a Chinese garden and desert garden in the south parklands, associated with our sister cities (Qingdao, China and Austin, USA.
- AMENITY: Rebuild those sports club changerooms etc.
- BEAUTIFY: The ugly dry paddocks in the northern parklands and near Anzac Hwy should reinstated as natural bushland habitat with groundcovers and new native trees planted.
These proposals should be relatively uncontroversial. There are undoubtedly loads of other great ideas out there as well.
Further, to ensure parklands maintenance is adequately funded going forwards, the state government should take control over the ACC. The parklands are for all South Australians, they are not a giant council park.