News & Discussion: Squares and Parklands

[Patrick_27]

On the subject of parklands, have just spent the weekend back in Adelaide with a mate from Perth. First time visitor, we spend a lovely day at Glenelg( far and away better than any seaside location in Perth for atmosphere and amenity and without the hurricane force sea breeze of Perth) heading back into the city it was noted how dry and poorly maintained the memorials are. The whole of Anzac highway is a discrace. Worse still the entry to the South westparklands is a shocker, as is the median on west terrace. Come on Adelaide, this route is a major tourist drive. As a memorial avenue, Anzac highway is very poorly maintained. Can't you guys agitate for some irrigation and mowing? Such a minor thing would make such a better impression for locals and tourists alike.

Agreed!

Anzac Highway used to be beautifully maintained. I'm not sure why and when exactly, but it seems that it's been left to degrade ever since the last drought. That was a while ago now, so I can't imagine an excuse. Same goes for the south parklands conduit and Greenhill Road.

The West Tce medium itself has been recently upgraded in a water-wise landscaping fashion and is fine for what it is. The barren tram line garden beds down North Tce/Port Rd are not.

Add Greenhill Road (along the Parklands) to the mix. It looks awful at the moment, sure they've just done roadworks along the strip but it wasn't looking great before that either.

[claybro]

And further to the rant... Just passed the tram terminus outside the entertainment centre... WTF.!!?? There is just dirt under the lines of pear trees. Absolutely discraceful. For God sakes guys, do you people drive around asleep? Do you realise how this looks to tourists.? Forget spending millions on half arsed tourist attractions,, just landscape and water the damn place! So simple! Who is in charge of this?

[monotonehell]

And further to the rant... Just passed the tram terminus outside the entertainment centre... WTF.!!?? There is just dirt under the lines of pear trees. Absolutely discraceful. For God sakes guys, do you people drive around asleep? Do you realise how this looks to tourists.? Forget spending millions on half arsed tourist attractions,, just landscape and water the damn place! So simple! Who is in charge of this?

This seems to be a common thing across all councils in recent years, they've used the previous period of water restrictions as an excuse to cut maintenance budgets.

[omada]

I think a sculpture park is a great idea for the parklands, can have the sculptures located along the bike path.

A bit of planting and landscaping would be fab too, how about a decent wetland too.

[claybro]

This seems to be a common thing across all councils in recent years, they've used the previous period of water restrictions as an excuse to cut maintenance budgets.

]

Yes I get this is the excuse, my question is, why do the people of Adelaide accept it? Adelaide has no cutting edge architecture to speak of that draws the eye skywards. No mountains with snow, or iconic surf beaches or theme parks. It must rely on its leafy well laid out surroundings and more peaceful ambience. There is so much money spent on attracting tourists to Adelaide, but some areas seriously look degraded and daggy, when a simple water and mowing regime would be all that is needed and provide visitors and locals with a positive impression of a well maintained city. As residents of Adelaide, you guys should not accept the current mediocre state of prominent entry parks and roadside medians. Take it from an expat, it is definitely noticed by visitors to Adelaide.

[phenom]

It's very disappointing to me that after all the work putting the recycled water piping through the parklands (which I probably optimistically assumed would be used to keep the entire parklands green all year around) so much of it is left to become desolate and dusty.

[Wayno]

It's very disappointing to me that after all the work putting the recycled water piping through the parklands (which I probably optimistically assumed would be used to keep the entire parklands green all year around) so much of it is left to become desolate and dusty.

+1. i've personally let my local Councillor know about this too. They use the water for playing fields, and watering directly under trees. Period.

[monotonehell]

It's very disappointing to me that after all the work putting the recycled water piping through the parklands (which I probably optimistically assumed would be used to keep the entire parklands green all year around) so much of it is left to become desolate and dusty.

+1. i've personally let my local Councillor know about this too. They use the water for playing fields, and watering directly under trees. Period.

If not everywhere, then at least a plan to strategically green certain areas so as to at least keep up a facade.

Also maintenance of sidewalks and gutterwork around town would go a long way. Most footpaths are made out of a series of trip hazards these days.

[claybro]

It's very disappointing to me that after all the work putting the recycled water piping through the parklands (which I probably optimistically assumed would be used to keep the entire parklands green all year around) so much of it is left to become desolate and dusty.

+1. i've personally let my local Councillor know about this too. They use the water for playing fields, and watering directly under trees. Period.

If not everywhere, then at least a plan to strategically green certain areas so as to at least keep up a facade.

Also maintenance of sidewalks and gutterwork around town would go a long way. Most footpaths are made out of a series of trip hazards these days.

Have to agree with this. Even outside the Nth Terrace entrance to Casino, the footpath is dirty, with an inconsistent surface. In fact the footpaths west of KWS are seriously poor. Outside the new Mayfair Hotel (a 5 star hotel) the area is dirty and poorly lit at night. Walking along KWS last Friday night, the lighting along the footpath KWS is poor. In front of the town hall of all places, there was no lighting under the front entrance and the area was almost completely dark-very unsafe. I did not feel safe walking around later in the evening I have to say.

[Honey of a City]

45,000+ at the cricket yet again last week. Beautiful warm evening. Oval, bridge, waterfall and even the festival theatre lit up and looking dazzling contributing to the reason why Adelaide Oval events are such a success. Massive buzz both sides of the river, and a really good feel in the area the whole evening. Would impress the socks off any visitor who happened to be in the area, cricket fan or nor. Alas, the ACC couldn't be bothered switching on (or repairing) the lights on the old river fountain, which has been dysfunctional more often than not over the last ten years. The beautiful City Bridge looked gloomy with its decades-old lighting, and the Morphett St Bridge remains unlit except for a small and very old purple pink token light at one end. Two years since the Oval was opened, literally millions of visitors and not a skerrick of response from the council in coming to the party and upgrading the lighting around the precinct. We read about the exciting riverbank development constantly, but the council seems oblivious to the opportunity of icing the cake. Apologies to the ACC if this is not under your control, but if it is, come on guys - get on board.

[Wayno]

From InDaily

Renewed push for Chinese garden in Adelaide parklands

There is a renewed push for the construction of a traditional Chinese garden in Adelaide's parklands.

Advocates have chosen 2016 as an auspicious year to renew a decade-old push to construct a large, traditional Chinese garden in Adelaide’s parklands.

Council, academic and philanthropic advocates believe the time is right for a renewed push, with 2016 the 15th anniversary of Adelaide’s sister city relationship with Qingdao, the 30th anniversary of its sister province relationship with Shandong, and 10 years since the Adelaide City Council last seriously investigated a Chinese garden for the parklands.

This morning, the State Government welcomed Chinese trade delegates to the city, where they will experience Fringe events including the Royal Croquet Club.

Executive officer of the University of Adelaide’s Confucius Institute Aaron Duff has made a submission to the draft Adelaide Parklands Management strategy, calling on the Adelaide City Council to consider a traditional Chinese garden for the south parklands.

Duff said that constructing a traditional Chinese garden in the heart of the city would demonstrate to Chinese investors and governments that “that we’re not only interested in their money”.

“It can be hard for [Chinese investors] to think we want more than just their money,” he said.

He said that China’s image in Australia was often associated with business interests, and that building a Chinese garden in the city would show that South Australians wanted to learn more about Chinese culture, and its people.

He said the garden would also provide “a point of difference” for Adelaide as it competes with other Australian cities to attract Chinese students.

“In the case of Sydney, their Chinese garden is now one of the biggest tourist attractions,” Duff said, noting that the garden had been listed as one of the top “things to do” in Sydney on travel advice website Tripadvisor.

“In my mind, the southern parklands seem to be an area where it would fit in quite well,” he said.

Duff said most traditional Chinese gardens included running water, meandering pathways, multiple levels and a pagoda at the highest point.

He said the south parklands would be ideal for a traditional Chinese garden because the water and the multiple levels were already there.

“I’d like the Chinese garden to be big enough hold reasonable-sized events there [and] to be a meeting place,” he said.

“We could have a group of people [practising] Tai Chi, musical performances, or tea [gatherings].”

The said the Confucius Institute would be interested in contributing financially to building the garden.

However, the Institute would have to be a “minor” contributor.

He said he hoped some of the State Government’s $20 million parklands fund, promised at the last state election – some of which may go towards a new upgrade of Victoria Square – may be used to construct the garden.

Susan Lee, now co-president of the annual Asia in SA charity dinner, spearheaded the push for a Chinese garden in the parklands in 2006, during the tenure of then Lord Mayor Michael Harbison.

She told InDaily that she was interested in supporting the renewed push, and that a garden could host Chinese chess games, group exercise, musical performances and community gatherings.

In late January, South Ward city councillor Priscilla Corbell asked for a report from the council’s administration regarding the possibility of a Chinese rose garden being built in Veale Gardens (which are in the south parklands).

Corbell is also employed at the Confucius Institute, and told InDaily this morning she had been advised that she can no-longer champion the idea of a traditional Chinese garden in the south parklands, because it may be viewed as a conflict of interest.

The south parklands already host a traditional Japanese garden.

[SRW]

Seeing the discussion over in the Adelaide Fringe thread reminded me of some thoughts I've had about the Rundle and Rymill parks. I think they're desperate for some investment given that they are now some the city's most important event spaces (and tourism attraction) as ongoing home to Fringe festivities.

I'm not meaning anything that compromises the greenery of the places, but the quality of the pavement, lighting, toilets, creek and garden plan are more suburban at present than key city park. Also, perhaps a perimeter system that allows a custom slot-in fence (like that mooted for Vic Square in its masterplan) instead of the monstrous temp cyclone fencing. I wouldn't even mind a permanent built fence given the frequency it is taken over for liscensed events.

Maybe responsibility for the park could be taken over by the Botanic Garden who can manage it similarly to Botanic Park?

The great shame is that the Government relented on plans to make the parks one place as part of the O-Bahn works, but hopefully we can end up with that result at some point into the future.

[Nathan]

The great shame is that the Government relented on plans to make the parks one place as part of the O-Bahn works, but hopefully we can end up with that result at some point into the future.

This. They could have turned Rundle Rd into a promenade, as the central feature of the combine parks (and a clear pedestrian link between the East End and Kent Town). This could have included a pavilion—with various facilities, toilets and undercover areas—without compromising any of the existing green space.

[Wayno]

Nathan & SRW, a reminder you can navigate to the ACC website and propose your ideas via the Your Say portal. I believe park land related submissions are still open.

[claybro]

Happened to be in Adelaide for a wedding on the weekend. Was great to see the place looking green after my last visit in January, but now it seems there is the opposite problem of the council not being able to keep up with the mowing. Guys the place looks a mess. Of particular concern is the median on KWS outside the festival centre. As this is the main entry point to the city from the north the long scraggly kikuyu grass is an eyesore. Also the half dead plane trees in that strip. WTF?and whilst I am on it, what the hell is going on with that native grass between the tram lines in KWS in the central city. This should be a more formal planting. West Terrace and SDB boulevard from the airport. Same issues. It continues to amaze me that despite the millions being spent on sprucing up the CBD (and a lot of it looks great) Adelaide is badly let down by what is really just housekeeping issues. As a casual visitor to Adelaide, it really is the small inexpensive things that could make or break the first impression.