Reserve Master Planning - Hazelwood Park & Kensington Gardens Reserve

This engagement was open from 8 April to 1 May 2015 and formed Stage 1 of the Master Planning Process.

This initial community consultation provided the community and stakeholders with an opportunity to have their say and provide input into the development of the first Draft Master Plan.

Kensington Gardens Reserve

Kensington Gardens Reserve is the largest recreational area in the City of Burnside and is home to a range of recreational facilities including shelters, barbecues, adventure playground, sporting clubs and facilities. The Reserve is also home to a duck pond, creek and some significant trees.

The community was asked to give their opinion on what they would like the Reserve to look like in the future – what they liked about the Reserve, and what they didn’t like. Current users of the Reserve were also consulted for their opinion.

Feedback was gathered, analysed and used to develop a Draft Master Plan proposal for Kensington Gardens Reserve. To read more on this proposal please click here. This proposal formed Stage 2 of the Master Planning Process and was open for consultation until 18 December 2015.

Council seeks to develop a Master Plan that will guide the future management of the Reserve to ensure it is integrated, sustainable and reflects the needs and wants of the community, the reserve users and Council.

No final decisions have been made regarding the future of Kensington Gardens Reserve. The Master Plan will not be finalised until all stakeholders (clubs, nearby residents and wider community) have had their say and a final plan is developed that will account for the needs of the community. This plan may take 1-2 years to complete. Any changes to the Reserve may take several years to happen and will be guided by the final Master Plan.

Stage 3 of the Master Planning Process will commence in 2016. Community feedback received from the first two community consultations will be part of the development of a Final Draft Plan. The Final Draft Plan will be presented to Council for endorsement to allow a third stage of community consultation to proceed.

Council will ask the community about their views of the Final Draft Plan.

Hazelwood Park

Hazelwood Park is a State Heritage listed major recreational reserve that is home to the George Bolton Swimming Centre Burnside, a war memorial, Wombat Waterhole play space, a network of paths, seating, picnic and barbecue areas and a formal car park area to the north. First Creek traverses the reserve adding to the site’s rich natural character with a cover of tall River Red Gums and SA Blue Gums.

The City of Burnside is currently in the process of creating a Management Plan. The Plan can help to conserve and protect as well as rejuvenate this important community space.

In 2015 over 300 people responded to a call for ideas on Hazelwood Park. The ideas and views have now been developed into a suggested draft vision, four management principles and seven protection and rejuvenation opportunities.

Since, there has been a ‘Have Your Say’ Park Day which was held at Hazelwood Park in March. There were information displays and free face painting for the children. Local residents and the wider community were invited to further explore ideas, discover place making concepts, express their opinions and identify specific aspirations for Hazelwood Park.

The community has also been invited to complete a survey.

To view the next stages or to view the Management Plan Process on engage.burnside please click here.

For more information contact John Draper, Acting Manager Open Space Recreation and Property at jdraper@burnside.sa.gov.au.

HAZELWOOD PARK

Background

Hazelwood Park is a State Heritage listed, major recreational reserve that is home to the George Bolton Swimming Centre Burnside; a war memorial; Wombat Waterhole play space; a network of paths; seating, picnic and barbeque areas, and a formal car park area to the north.

First Creek traverses the reserve adding to the site’s rich natural character with a cover of tall River Red Gums and SA Blue Gums.

Hazelwood Park was originally part of the Clark family estate which was sold to the State Government then gazetted as a National Pleasure Resort in 1915. The ownership of Hazelwood Park was transferred to the City of Burnside in 1964. Specific conditions on the future management and development of the reserve were negotiated as part of the transfer to Council.

The following conditions are stipulated in the Deed of Transfer that are relevant to master planning and the future management of Hazelwood Park:

• that the reserve is to be developed and maintained in perpetuity as a pleasure resort, park and recreation ground for the use and enjoyment of the general public;
• as occasion requires plant or construct and maintain such grass, trees, shrubs, gardens and other improvements, as may be appropriate for the development, embellishing and beautifying the reserve as a pleasure resort, park and recreation ground; and
• to seek to develop and foster the natural beauty and characteristic of Hazelwood Park and any natural flora and fauna found or established therein.

Recent improvements

There have been a number of recent significant improvements to the park which include the redevelopment of the George Bolton Swimming Centre Burnside; the upgrade of the toilet block located near Olive Grove; and installation of the Wombat Waterhole play space.

Purpose of the Master Plan

The development of the Master Plan will assist Council to meet the needs of the community, address current land management practice, identify future infrastructure needs, maintain the natural and heritage values of the park and adequately meet the requirements specified in the deed of transfer for ownership of the park.

The plan will consider many aspects of the park including, but not limited to, access and accessibility; passive and active recreational activities; conservation of natural assets; and infrastructure including bridges, footbridges, car parks, roads, paths, the swimming centre, pumps and bores, weirs, ponds, constructed gardens, and play spaces.

Below: aerial view of Hazelwood Park

The pink letters divide the park into 'zones' to assist you in describing current issues or future needs.

Click image to enlarge

KENSINGTON GARDENS RESERVE

Background

Kensington Gardens Reserve is one of Council's most utilised reserves for organised sports and also supports a range of other community uses.

Kensington Gardens Reserve began as part of farmland called Piles Paddock that was let to several tenants during the 1840s. The land was subdivided to form the suburb of Kensington Gardens and a portion was set aside for public recreation. The Minister of Tramways Trust converted a section of the reserve into a tram stop as a tram once ran from Norwood Parade to Kensington Gardens Reserve. In 1932 Council acquired the land that is now known as Kensington Gardens Reserve.

The reserve is the largest recreational area in the City of Burnside. It is home to a range of sporting and social clubs. The Stonyfell Creek flows through the reserve and there are original stands of River Red Gum and SA Blue Gum.

The facilities within the park include barbeques, numerous playgrounds for various age groups, including the Adventure Playground, home to a number of sporting clubs and other facilities for public access.

The Waite, Parkinson and Ford Ovals provide a space for many forms of sport and recreation and the large grassed area provides a space to walk dogs and for other unstructured recreational activities. This grassed area is massed with giant River Red Gum and Blue Gum trees, which provide shade and a spectacular backdrop.

Recent improvements

Recently a number of facilities have had improvements to provide better disability access. The tennis courts on the north west corner of the reserve were resurfaced and an additional basketball hoop was included for increased functionality. The Adventure Playspace was constructed in 2004.

Purpose of the Master Plan

The development of the Master Plan will assist Council to meet the needs of the community, address current land management practice, identify future infrastructure needs and maintain the natural and heritage values of the reserve.

The plan will consider many aspects of the park including, but not limited to, access and accessibility; passive and active recreational activities; conservation of natural assets; resident needs; and reserve infrastructure.

The Master Plan will consider the range of community users of the reserve. It will look at how the future needs of the reserve users can be met, and what facilities need to be provided to meet the current and future needs.

Below: aerial view of Kensington Gardens Reserve

Click image to enlarge