by Shane Sody

How would Adelaide have responded to the COVID-19 pandemic if we did not have a garland of Open Green Public spaces around the City?

A third site within your Park Lands has been commandeered for a COVID-19 response.

South Australia's early response to the COVID pandemic in 2020 included setting up a PCR testing station on the open spaces of Victoria Park / Pakapakanthi (Park 16).

It's been there now for almost two years - effectively delaying a community push to have more trees and shade on or around the central vast barren bitumen expanse in that Park.

No one can predict how long the COVID testing station will remain on Victoria Park, but it would appear that the State Government has no immediate plans to return the area to Open Green Public Park Lands. Hopefully the pandemic will pass before too long and the space can be returned to its status as a Park.

However in the interim, the State Government has now commandeered two more Park Lands sites for two other responses to the COVID pandemic, as the Omicron variant sweeps through South Australia's population.

This new vaccination hub has been set up off Sir Donald Bradman Drive, in Ellis Park / Tampaewardli (Park 24).

And on Thursday 13 January, a new distribution hub starting distributing highly-sought-after rapid antigen tests to COVID close contacts. The site, in Josie Agius Park /Wikaparntu Wirra (Park 22) has initial approval for an eight-week period although that may be extended. On its first day of operation, hundreds of cars were lined up before it opened at 7am.

Everyone wants to get through the pandemic and reduce the risk of severe illness and disease. Nevertheless, there is also concern that one or more of these three sites might end up being more than merely "temporary".

There are examples of other "temporary" uses of Park Lands that persisted for decades or even generations. Over time, some temporary sheds have been replaced with substantial storage buildings and then by larger, more ambitious facilities. Once a location has been lost as a "Park", new uses tend to emerge for these former Open Green Public sites.

At the moment the Adelaide Park Lands are playing a vital role in lessening the public health risks of COVID-19. However, this public health role is not confined to the "temporary" SA Health facilities that are needed. Maintaining public access to Open Green Public spaces is also vital to public health.

It would be very welcome news if the State Government could offer some assurances about its plans to eventually restore public access to the these three "temporary" SA Health sites within your Open Green Public Adelaide Park Lands.