If you Love Your Park Lands, like we do, you might occasionally hear criticism from people who have latched onto a Park Lands myth.

We’re taking apart these myths, one by one. Today: the “Deserted” myth. People sometimes say that “the Park Lands are deserted. There’s no-one using them. “

FACTS: In 2014, the ADELAIDE City Council estimated that there were 8.87 million annual 'visitations' to the Parklands each year.   This figure included:

• 1.87 million visits for informal recreation (e.g. running, cycling, picnicking)

• 1.75 million visits for organised sport; (e.g. soccer, football, cricket, netball, lacrosse, croquet and more)

• 1.68 million for "events" (e.g. Symphony Under The Stars, Writers Week and Soundwave Music Festival)

• 1.32 million visits to the Botanic Gardens, Botanic Park and West Terrace Cemetery; and

• 8,000 visitors for more than 100 weddings;

among other categories of visitations.

Despite the popularity of the Adelaide Park Lands, the value of Open Green Public spaces is not measured solely by how many people are crowded into them at any one time.

Their value lies partly in the fact that for much of the time, they are NOT crowded. Parks (here in Adelaide or anywhere in the world) are valued as a respite, in nature, in contrast to a crowded city.

See the other Park Lands Myth Busters https://www.adelaide-parklands.asn.au/myth-busters