Push to ban cars on a Sunday at Tania Park, Balgowlah Heights
A northern beaches councillor is pushing for a trial of a Centennial Park-style car ban at Tania Park on Sunday morning. Do you think it’s a good idea?
Manly
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A popular park in Balgowlah Heights could soon be closed to cars for three hours on a Sunday morning.
A notice of motion by northern beaches councillor Sarah Grattan calling for a trial is set to be addressed in the May council meeting.
Cr Grattan said Centennial Park in Sydney’s eastern suburbs are implementing a similar trial where vehicles are banned on weekends to provide more space for people to exercise while complying to social distancing measures.
“What I’m going to be asking is for the staff to look at some options and for Tania Park to be a pilot for the concept on the northern beaches,” Cr Grattan said.
“We’ll be looking into the most appropriate time for all users. From the feedback on Facebook, we know some of the concerns are about traffic so we’ll be looking at those aspects.
“I think for three hours, we’ll be fine. Let’s just see what comes back when we do consultation with some of the key parties. If it can work I think it could be continued after the pandemic.”
She said it’s important children have a safe space to learn how to ride bikes in their local area.
“Cycling is experiencing a mini-boom, yet our bike plan is not yet officially endorsed. The bike plan has identified the need to cater for a range of users from road cyclists to families, children and residents who need safe network both to learn to ride and as a destination to ride for pleasure.
“We have new cycling infrastructure along the new coast walk from Palm Beach to Manly, but there is currently limited safe infrastructure for families in other areas – including Balgowlah, Balgowlah Heights and Seaforth, areas whose terrain is also very hilly and difficult for families and children to successfully navigate.
“This idea is in alignment with the Bike Plan (which is currently on exhibition).”
Cr Grattan published a post on Facebook which received a mixed response from locals.
“Great idea and safer for the kids. Take it from a mother who lost one to road trauma in 2014. Children 10 years and younger have proven cognitive, physical and perceptual limitations around roadways. They are often focused on the fun and excitement of being out and about and it takes a microsecond for an accident to occur... As a local resident and a road safety advocate for children I totally support ‘Car Free Sunday’ at Tania Park,” Facebook user Michelle Jones wrote in a comment.
Meanwhile Jaimie Roberts wrote, “What more rules and regulations? We already live in a nanny state. There are literally hundreds of places for kids to play and walk all around that are car free. In any case, it would force everyone to park in the surrounding streets.”
Cr Grattan said the motion will be put to council after a resident approached her with the idea.
Balgowlah Heights resident and mother of three Diana Worman said the idea was inspired by the lockdown and the need to social distance. Further, she said children needed a safe place to play and get exercise.
“The other side of the lockdown and virus is that it has encouraged more people to go outside. People tend to have more than one car per family and the roads are busier and it’s difficult for people to safely play, so why shouldn’t they be able to safely access those areas? “I think this is a really good initiative for them. It’s about reclaiming the park for children.
“We’ve been driving to Curl Curl because it’s nice and flat for them to practice but I think overall there needs to be a shift to put children and pedestrians first.”