by Shane Sody
There has been a flurry of construction and maintenance work in your Park Lands over the past few weeks and months, with much of it continuing.
Some projects have been completed; others are well behind schedule, and some are just a mystery!
These pics were taken on 24 July. Riverbank stabilisation works in Red Gum Park / Karrawirra (Park 12) near the University footbridge had been scheduled for completion by the end of June, but still appear far from finished.
A recently completed task in Bonython Park / Tulya Wardli (Park 27). New railings have been installed beside the Park Lands Trail, and on two footbridges across the River Torrens / Karrawirra Pari.
This works compound is near the corner of Dequettville Terrace and Rundle Road in Rundle Park / Kadlitpina (Park 13). There are no signs to indicate why it’s there or how long it will remain. We’ve posed the question to the City Council and will update this story when a response is received.
Likewise there is no signage to indicate how long the footpath over the lake in Rymill Park/ Murlawirrapurka (Park 14) will be out of action.
As previously reported:
Veale Gardens is getting a makeover. Its creek has been drained. Footpaths and two bridges over the creek have been cordoned off, while the work continues until October
And Elder Park is still off limits as its irrigation upgrade continues.
But wait, there’s more
This playing field off West Terrace in your Park 24 has been off-limits for months as its surface has been relaid.
There is no signage at the historic (1909) rotunda in Kingston Gardens, Park 23, to indicate why it’s fenced off nor how long it’s going to be unavailable to you.
This equipment in Marshmallow Playspace, in Pelzer Park / Pityarilla at least has a sign, but there’s no suggestion how long it will be off limits.
Fences go up quickly, but come down slowly
There is another promised project on which work has not begun.
Early this year, we asked the City of Adelaide why this fence (pictured below) remained in Helen Mayo Park (Park 27), when it was clearly serving no purpose except to block access between the riverbank Park Lands Trail and the picnic area of Helen Mayo Park on higher ground. .
City Council staff checked with the Department of Infrastructure and Transport, and the Passenger Transport Authority who confirmed that yes, the fence can be removed.
We’ve asked whether Park Lands supporters can get involved in tearing it down, sooner rather than later!
Likewise, this fence off Gaol Road in your Park 27 serves no purpose except to keep you off this part of your Park Lands. The State Government says it will tear down this fence, eventually, but only after it builds a three billion dollar new hospital on an adjacent part of your Park Lands.
