Adelaide Parklands Progress Society

[zipzap]

Whether or not you (dis)like Amanda Blair, if the pictures on this page make you as angry and fed up with the lack of vision in our fair city as they did me, then you might want to sign up. On the other hand, maybe you support the Council's ideas. What do you reckon?

http://5aa.com.au/site/programs/amanda_blair/adelaide_parklands_progress_society.aspx

[Pseudo]

I don't like the idea of filling the parklands with buildings (cafes, skating rinks and entertainment precincts, as described on that webpage). I like the fact that Adelaide is surrounded by parklands. It adds something unique to the city.

Having said that, parklands could still be put to use. Outdoor concerts, outdoor cinema (like in the botanic gardens), festivals, open air art exhibitions, etc. No reason these things couldn't happen in the parklands.

But it doesn't motivate me enough to want to sign up to something popularised by Amanda "two bags wouldn't be enough" Blair

[Psyber]

Adelaide needs its lungs - it has air pollution problems due to the prevailing winds and the shape of the hills around it.
Developers just want to persuade people to let them get their grubby paws on what they see only as "prime real estate" they can fill first with "nice" enticing developments, then, when they have gotten us used to it, with blocks of crappy flats.
Hands off the park lands!

[therisingblues]

This thread may backfire on you Zip Zap. I am inclined to agree with the Ps-duo. The parklands are nice and vacant now because no one before us thought to fill it in with cafes and stuff. Many people also like the fact that there is a nice belt of vegetation surrounding the city center. As the colonel wanted it.
One issue I have with cafes and other attractions in the parklands is that you can't say with certainty if they'll succeed or not. There are already hundreds of cafes in the city center as well as the inner suburbs like North Adelaide, Norwood, Unley etc, and there have been skating rinks that have come and gone because they weren't profitable. I think it is not so much a need for facilities as someone has just decided "Hey here's an empty space, let's fill it with junk!"

[A Mum]

Mmmm.....Yes... I was wondering where the petition was to sign re leaving the parklands there.

[The Big Shrek]

There needs to be a line drawn between building crap and improving what is already there. I don't have a problem with improvements being made as long as they are for the purpose of leisure.

Victoria Park needs new grandstands, the ones they have are ugly. Old Iggies changerooms could use a facelift too!

If the RAH gets demolished maybe we could experiment with what is appropriate for the parklands there. Could be quite a little hub with the zoo and botanic gardens.

[The Big Shrek]

By the way, has anyone else noted that the title of this thread is an oxymoron.

[zipzap]

:lol:
This thread may backfire on you Zip Zap.

Think you might be right

Personally I find it odd that only a small amount of toffs who live in inner city townhouses and North Adelaide get to vote on the status of an icon enjoyed by everybody in the state and even odder that instead of a permanent structure that might have a chance of actually blending in with the surrounds, they opt for a temporary grandstand that takes months to assemble / disassemble every year. But hey, each to their own.

Do you tree hugging hippies support the Clipsal then?

[Psyber]

:lol:
This thread may backfire on you Zip Zap.

Think you might be right

Personally I find it odd that only a small amount of toffs who live in inner city townhouses and North Adelaide get to vote on the status of an icon enjoyed by everybody in the state and even odder that instead of a permanent structure that might have a chance of actually blending in with the surrounds, they opt for a temporary grandstand that takes months to assemble / disassemble every year. But hey, each to their own.

Do you tree hugging hippies support the Clipsal then?

I don't.
I went to the last Adelaide Grand Prix because I got in free as part of the medical team, but I was glad to see it go. Using the parklands for public leisure and non-commercial sport is good, but I'm not keen on letting anyone put anything permanent there, or commercial enterprises take over large sections and exclude others if they don't pay to get in. I, like others, think it will just be the start, the "developers" will then eat the lot, and we'll never get it back. And Adelaide's air is not good - the city needs more open space and trees, not less. That's why we lived here in Melbourne's east, my wife's chronic lung problems did better here.

I plan to buy a CBD apartment on my return, so I guess I'll be one of the voters in the Adelaide City Council area, but I won't get a vote where you live...

[Sojourner]

One thing I dont agree with is exclusive use of grassed tennis courts that are kept locked on the Parklands. The parklands are supposed to be for the use of everyone, so those Gates should remain unlocked.

[Psyber]

One thing I dont agree with is exclusive use of grassed tennis courts that are kept locked on the Parklands. The parklands are supposed to be for the use of everyone, so those Gates should remain unlocked.

We used to climb the fence with our gear when I was a kid. I agree anything there should be available for public use, even if it could perhaps be hired occasionally for special events or for club use.

[Footy Chick]

Actually, I read once that the Parklands were designed initially to hide the city from possible invasion in the days of settlement, and that there was a decree that nothing was ever supposed to be built on the parklands. and of course to preserve some of what was founded by the first settlers..

I remember there being a reason for Adelaide High being built there as an exception to that rule, but there was a ruckus when the netball courts originally went up in the early 70's on Anzac Highway and there was a big push to get them of parklands area, until they finally packed up and defected when ETSA Park was built.

For those that have been to Perth, you would know that there is a section of land which has never been touched and never will be touched so that future generations can appreciate what was there in the beginning.

I'm of two minds as to whether development is a good idea or not, having grown up in the city, it was always nice to go for a bikeride, or rollerskate around Vic Park

[Leaping Lindner]

Actually, I read once that the Parklands were designed initially to hide the city from possible invasion in the days of settlement, and that there was a decree that nothing was ever supposed to be built on the parklands. and of course to preserve some of what was founded by the first settlers..

.....

Apparently they are the length of the range of a French 6 Pound Cannon.

[A Mum]

Actually, I read once that the Parklands were designed initially to hide the city from possible invasion in the days of settlement, and that there was a decree that nothing was ever supposed to be built on the parklands. and of course to preserve some of what was founded by the first settlers..

Slightly off topic...
I also remember being told by a teacher at school (so who knows if it's true or not) ... that Adelaide was built where it was with the 'Adelaide Hills' in the background so that Adelaide/suburbs could not expand past that point (The hills).

[Dogwatcher]

I love the argument that certain people don't want to shut the park down for commercial enterprises, mainly motor sport, but are happy to see large areas blocked off for things like the Adelaide Festival.

I couldn't give a stuff about motor sport and I'm more likely to attend a festival event (sometimes for two weeks), but the hypocrisy in that argument is quite evident if you look past self interest.

If you take the Clipsal away from our state you remove millions of tourist dollars from our coffers - something we can't afford right now.
I'd just like to see someone, for once, in this state take the bull by the horns and show some initiative with some of these things that have been on the agenda for years, ie: the parklands.

Both parties are too beholden to committees and polls to have the balls to do it though.

[Tassie Blues]

Adelaide is very unique its the only city in the world that has a brown dry ring around it a very attractive look! why would any city that has a lack of water have a so called "green ring" that no one ever uses.

Has anyone here in the last 12 months used or gone into the parklands? and I don't mean drove through it on the way to the city or gone to Clipsal 500.

[Pag]

Played in the parklands during the year and it wasn't too bad. Did drive past Old Iggies ground the other day though and it was brown/gold.

I wouldn't knowing what would happen to some of the old scholars clubs (as well as Adelaide Lutheran) who use the parklands as a home ground.

[Pseudo]

Has anyone here in the last 12 months used or gone into the parklands?

*

[Zelezny Chucks]

What about something along the lines of the Meyer Music Bowl that Melbourne have top venue and would probably attract more acts to the state. Locate it near Vic Park and its within walking distance of the East End.

[Dogwatcher]

Not that I have a problem with the suggestion ZC (good idea) - but wow, that's arts again isn't it, that's ok I bet according to some who have problems with a car race.