Hamilton Reserve Rejuvenation Project
The Town of Walkerville is pleased to announce the much-anticipated Hamilton Reserve Rejuvenation Project is complete and the nature play park is open to the community.
From a children’s bike track loop and nature play equipment, to undercover barbecue areas and a secret grass labyrinth code – the newly finished Hamilton Reserve links a range of recreational activities, while creating new usage of a key piece of open space in the north-eastern district.
The upgrade involves a long-term focus on vegetation and environmental improvement, as well as unstructured children’s play linking to the Linear Park Trail. It includes a:
- Bike loop track
- Paved area with seating, shelter and barbecues
- Nature play site
- Grass labyrinth
- Native garden beds
- Self-cleaning disability-friendly Exeloo toilet block
The Hamilton Reserve (formally Stewart Avenue Park) upgrade began in July 2021 to ensure the park meets the current and future needs of both local residents and the many visitors who use the area on their journey through Linear Park.
Since its completion in December 2021, the success of the upgrade can be seen daily as many families flock to the area to enjoy the peaceful reserve.
Keen investigators can also be found trying to unravel a mystery code within the grass labyrinth. During Council’s planning for the upgraded park, the team put on their creative caps and designed a secret code to be discovered by the community. Both children and adults have managed to master the encrypted message, locating each icon and deciphering the clues that lay around the Vale Park reserve.
The park’s close proximity to Willow Bend – which includes public toilets, tennis courts and exercise equipment – also means that, within a relatively short distance, there are many different activities available that appeal to a wide cross section of the community.
Hamilton Reserve in Vale Park is bounded by the River Torrens, Stewart Avenue and Mimosa Drive.
Council, as part of its five-year Beautification Program, selected Hamilton Reserve for the major upgrade. This is based on the fact that Vale Park is part of the State Government’s plan to increase inner and middle city density. Current allotments are being subdivided into two or three land parcels. Many of these new homes have very limited open space and consequently, public open space has become of increased importance.
The project has created defined areas by intensifying plantings to create distinct activity areas, identified natural pedestrian routes that connect residential areas through to the river and formalised natural surface materials for prime usage.
The demand for practical open space is increasing as the Township's population continues to grow. This project has ensured Hamilton Reserve can provide for and adapt to differing needs and uses, providing people with the opportunity to connect with nature.
Two rounds of community consultation were undertaken during the design phase of the project. During the first round of consultation, the plan was deemed as too intensive by the community. Based on these decisions, Administration undertook a redesign to form a scaled back and more natural looking area. This plan was widely accepted by the community.
Since the completion of the reserve, Council has also installed a self-cleaning, disability-friendly Exeloo toilet block, which was opened to the public in January 2022.
Council acknowledges the Government of South Australia for its contribution of $319,825 towards the project as part of the 2020/21 Open Space and Places for People Grant Program.