Warnings as speeding drivers dodge use Mount Barker Summit Sport and Recreation Park as shortcut

The Hills’ most expensive oval is being used by hoons as a shortcut, sparking fears for families out walking – with the council warning it’s watching.

A $23m Adelaide Hills sports park is being used by speeding drivers as a “shortcut” to dodge traffic on a nearby main road, sparking fears for locals who use the oval area’s popular walking trail.

Mount Barker Council is investigating hoons at the Summit Sport and Recreation Park, warning would-be speeders’ “reckless behaviour” captured on CCTV would be reported to police and end in fines.

A council spokesman said the park – which has a 30km/h speed limit – was “not a thoroughfare or racetrack”, and speeding cars “create a serious risk to everyone’s safety”.

Locals are allegedly using the SSRP as a “racetrack”. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Morgan Sette

“Council staff have received complaints and also observed vehicles exceeding the signed speed limit cutting through from Springs Rd to Heysen Blvd on a regular basis,” they said. “Pedestrians, cyclists and children have been observed in the vicinity at times when this has occurred.

“We are unaware of what is causing this change in driver behaviour. This route has been enabled since the construction of the link road that created a through road from Heysen Blvd to the SSRP ahead of the first Gather Round in 2023.

“We’ll provide any details of speeding and reckless behaviour that we capture sufficiently on CCTV to SAPOL to determine further action and penalties.”

The Summit Sport and Recreation Park in Mount Barker. Picture: Russell Millard Photography

It comes as a new masterplan for The Summit precinct reveals caravanners and tourists would be able to stay at a huge holiday park and walk to potential AFL Gather Round matches.

The new vision for The Summit, released on Tuesday, reveals the council plans to expand the sports and recreation park with three new ovals and pitches and another pool.

Plans for a $50m, 120-room hotel along Springs Rd were revealed earlier this month as the council moves to transform the 50ha area into “national-level” sport and tourism destination.

The holiday park would be placed in the middle of The Summit precinct, within easy walking distance of The Summit sports park, which hosted AFL matches in 2023 and 2024.

The new masterplan – which replaces an older one from 2023 – shows an indoor recreation venue and sports courts near the golf course, while “food and beverage” options – likely cafes – on the corner of Springs Rd and busy Bald Hills Rd.

Beside the food and drink area is an entertainment centre, and the hotel’s planned $15m wellness centre.

The masterplan for The Summit Sport and Recreation Precinct in Mount Barker. Picture: Mount Barker Council

An adventure playground is planned near the site’s heritage barns, which may be adaptively reused, while a secondary, 50m pool would go beside the under-construction aquatic centre.

Walking and cycling trails and planned, which would connect with the expanded Laratinga wetlands trails.

Previous masterplans have suggested indoor bowling, trampolines and rock climbing for the indoor rec centre.

A spokesman said more details would be released in coming weeks.

Originally published as Warnings as speeding drivers dodge use Mount Barker Summit Sport and Recreation Park as shortcut