by Carla Caruso

With warmer months approaching, two types of shade cover have been approved for installation in your Adelaide Park Lands. One type of shade cover for children’s playgrounds, and a different variety for cricket spectators.

Which type of shade cover do you prefer?

Councillor Keiran Snape was successful last month with a motion to provide better canopies over the Princess Elizabeth and Glover playgrounds in the southern Park Lands. The motion was passed unanimously.

On how it might look, Cr Snape said: “My priority would be getting more trees planted in the area, and creating natural canopy, but acknowledging that that does take time to do. So, in the meantime, and in areas where it isn’t possible, bringing in artificial shade canopy – a large canvas covering and things like that.

“This actually came about because on Neighbour Day in March, I was visiting various groups and community activities, and one of them was at the Princess Elizabeth Playground. There’s been a push with community members there [for shade], especially in regard to the sandpit.

“There’s no cover whatsoever near the sandpit, and half the year, the temperature-extremes heat that sandpit up almost to a furnace. It’s not usable for kids. On top of that, just having any metal in a playground is going to be really hot. So, it’s just important from a health and safety perspective.”

As for the funding, Cr Snape said: “It’ll be put forward to the next budget. I don’t expect anything to happen until next year at this point. But I am hoping it’ll happen sooner rather than later, and if I am re-elected, I’ll certainly push for a sensible timeline.”

Meanwhile, at the same Council meeting on August 9, the South Australian Cricket Association (SACA) received approval to put up an entirely artificial shade structure in Gladys Elphick Park / Narnungga (Park 25). Concrete tiered seating, on the eastern side of Karen Rolton Oval, was also part of the proposal.

This Cr Snape voted against, though he was outnumbered.

“I would have supported shading on its own, or perhaps as a compromise – bring in the shading but keep the grass – that would have been an option. But, unfortunately, it was all tied in together and I just couldn’t vote for more concrete.”

He added: “My issue was more in regard to the concrete and the risk of a permanent structure in the area … The dealbreaker for me was pouring concrete onto the mound and creating these ugly-looking steps. We fought hard to keep the mound in the Adelaide Oval world-class stadium. 

“We’ve kept a grassy mound there. If it’s good enough for the Adelaide Oval [in Park 26], it’s good enough for any other oval, including in our Park Lands; let’s keep it natural.

“Why do we need to create more concrete in our Park Lands – create more of a heat trap – when a grassy mound is part of the old Aussie history, part of the enjoyment of watching the sport?”

The work is to do with the Eastern Mound Redevelopment. In 2017, the State Government announced $6.6 million in funding to enhance Park 25. The monies were in addition to a $10 million investment by SACA, as the primary lessee of the playing fields within the park.

Also at the Council meeting, Cr Snape had success with a motion for a six-month trial of recycling rails on bins (as pictured below). The concept is to encourage recycling while providing a more dignified way for those who rely on the 10c recycling system to collect cans.

As well, last month, Cr Snape celebrated his first year on the council. “It’s been a real honour to represent my community [and] I’m feeling optimistic about the future … I feel the winds of change are in the air. I feel like the next Council could be a lot more progressive, a lot more green, a lot more Park Lands-friendly, but only if people vote.”