by Carla Caruso

For architecture graduate Daniel Grilli, the Adelaide Park Lands are ‘wheely’ good.

When he isn’t busy working – or chilling with his cat – he loves a cycle through the parks.

He’s one of many city-dwellers who are passionate about our CBD’s green spaces. We recently spoke to him about this love affair.

*A beautiful day in Lefevre Park / Nantu Wama (****Park 6****), captured by Daniel Grilli.*

Hi, Daniel. Why do you love getting out and about in the Adelaide Park Lands?

I think we are so lucky to have such a diverse array of landscapes in and around our city.

There are regal alleys of trees, secret bodies of water, towering gum trees, animals, a lush river valley … I love seeing it all, and how it changes day-to-day and across the year.

I especially like those moments when the scale, the light, the long view, or the vastness of the sky make me forget for a moment that I am right next to the city centre.

How often do you frequent the Park Lands, and why?

It’s no exaggeration to say that I’m in the Park Lands multiple times a day, every day of the year. I ride to work in the city and my commute takes me through the Park Lands.

I love that if I feel a little restless, I can extend my commute and say hi to the ducks in the new wetlands [in Park 16] or breathe in the scent of the pine trees in the cemetery [in Park 23].

On the weekends, I’ll go for a ride with my wife, and we love seeing all the different people and birds also enjoying the parks.

*A moody scene in Victoria Park / Pakapakanthi (Park 16). Photo: Daniel Grilli.*

What’s your favourite park in the Adelaide Park Lands, and why?

Such a tough question. I’ll mention a couple of favourite spots: the restored section of the Park Lands creek in Pityarilla [Park 19] because it’s just so special to be able to get close to water and explore the woodlands and intriguing artworks hidden along the course of the creek.

My mind also keeps going back to the secret wetlands and trails of Wirraninthi [Park 23] behind the cemetery. When I first discovered them, my jaw literally dropped.

What keeps you busy when you’re not meandering the parks?

During the week, I work at an architecture practice in the city as I love thinking about and contributing to our built and natural environment.

Otherwise, you can either find me riding my bike and talking about cycling advocacy as part of the Unley Bicycle User Group, or chilling at home with my wife and our cat.

*Daniel Grilli is behind this awe-inspiring image of the new wetlands at Victoria Park / Pakapakanthi (Park 16).*

What do you consider the most pressing issue for the Park Lands?

The more I learn about our Park Lands and their history, both as a rare and early example of a European public park and as a living part of Kaurna heritage, the more it saddens me to hear how under threat the Park Lands are.

People in and around our city love, appreciate, and visit the Park Lands often. I just wish that people in power did the same and worked to enhance and celebrate them.