by Loine Sweeney
Work is nearing completion on a project to renew a section of the Linear Park shared-use pathway, just north of the Adelaide Zoo in your Park 11.
For several months, the pathway on the northern side of the River Torrens/ Karrawirra Pari has been closed during the upgrade.
Heading towards the City, from Hackney Road - the path closed at the Sir Doug Nicholls footbridge. Pic: Shane Sody
During these recent months, pedestrians and cyclists have still been able to use the pathway on the southern side of the river, to traverse Mistletoe Park / Tainmuntilla (in Park 11).
Marked in yellow: the section of the pathway that has been closed in recent months, west of the Sir Doug Nicholls Bridge in Mistletoe Park / Tainmuntilla (Park 11). The renewed pathway does not include all of the marked yellow (closed) length - only the 550-metre section closest to Frome Road.
Around 550 metres of the pathway, east of the historic Albert Bridge, is being upgraded.
Users have not had access to this section of the well-used riverside pathway for many months now, with plastic fencing forming an ongoing physical and visual barrier.
However, Project Manager (Infrastructure Delivery), Ciarán Carty, says the section of the pathway east of Frome Road has now been resurfaced, and completion of the main work is now just a few weeks away, enabling the shared-use path to be reopened by March.
Work continuing on the pathway on 13 February 2025. Pic: Shane Sody
Mr Carty says the upgraded surface will provide a better experience for all. “Users can look forward to a smoother, more enjoyable journey whether they are running, cycling, walking or just passing through” he said.
The shared-use pathway is also designed to be wheelchair accessible, is pram-friendly and is also used by people walking their dogs.
Mr Carty added that “future-proofing” had been put in place, in the section currently being renewed, for “potential public lighting and improved accessibility through the area.”
The almost-completed project, as seen from the north side, across War Memorial Drive.
North Adelaide ward Councillor Phil Martin provided a broader asset renewal context for the project.
“While all public infrastructure in the City of Adelaide is owned by the City Council, it can’t afford to meet all the capital costs of renewal.”
“We put in a request to the State Government to support the costs of the planned lighting and they have agreed to contribute all the required money [for the lighting], once the [path] works have been completed.”
Councillor Martin says the public will be seeing more asset renewal projects in your Park Lands, including the City Squares, and more broadly across the City of Adelaide, as a result of the present Council’s commitment to restore funding for asset maintenance and renewal.
Top, banner pic: City of Adelaide
The author of this article, Loine Sweeney, is a long-term member of the Adelaide Park Lands Association, one of our Guided Walk Tour Guides, and Park Guardian for the Adelaide Botanic Garden in Park 11.
