If you Love Your Park Lands, like we do, you might occasionally hear criticism from people who have latched onto a Park Lands myth.
This month, we’re MYTH-BUSTING the claim that “car parking is a legitimate use of Park Lands.”
Image: Shutterstock
What’s wrong with car parking on your Park Lands? It’s handy to have somewhere close to town to park your car.
But think for a moment: What exactly is the idea of a Park? Why do we value “Open, Green, Public” spaces?
Car parking in Golden Wattle Park / Mirnu Wirra (Park 21W) during the Royal Adelaide Show
Not Green
Car parks that have been sealed with bitumen are no longer green. Even on grass, vehicle movements compact soil, and kill flora and fauna.
NOT OPEN, NOR PUBLIC
Whether a car parking place is green, or is sealed with bitumen, each car parking space effectively privatises an additional few square metres. The space occupied by each car is no longer Open nor Public while the car remains.
Josie Agius Park / Wikaparntu Wirra (Park 22)
DISCOURAGES OTHER FORMS OF TRANSPORT
Permitting car parking on Park Lands means there’s less incentive to develop public transport.
There is less incentive for active commuting: such as walking or cycling, which improve public health.
There is less incentive to encourage shared forms of transport; such as ride-sharing vehicles, rented e-scooters and e-bikes.
DISRESPECTS PARK LANDS
Having car parks on your Park Lands encourages disrespect for your Park Lands.
It’s not consistent with the idea of Loving Your Park Lands. It does not value your Park Lands as Open Green Public resources.
In New York, there are a dozen public car parks within an easy walk of the city’s famous Central Park. However no part of Central Park is set aside for car parking.
Car parks within easy walking distance of Central Park, New York.
New Yorkers value and respect their Open, Green, Public Central Park.
In contrast, Adelaide’s Park Lands contain dozens of car parks, with spaces for thousands of cars.
UNDERCUTS CITY BUSINESSES
There are many commercial car parks in the City. The owner of each car park (including the City Council with its “U-Park” sites) has invested heavily in providing convenient car parking sites (for a price).
Offering car parking in Park Lands effectively undercuts these City businesses, and reduces their profitability.
WHAT DO YOU VALUE?
If car parking were a legitimate use of your Open Green Public Adelaide Park Lands, then the city could be ringed by a circle of car parks; with plenty of car parking for everyone.
The risk to your Park Lands from car parking demand has been recognised for decades. This newspaper cartoon by Robert Hannaford was published in 1965.
See the other Park Lands Myth Busters https://www.adelaide-parklands.asn.au/myth-busters
