West Torrens Council releases masterplan for Kings Reserve, seeking community feedback

A skate park, barbie area, new lawn and nature playground are park of a huge overhaul planned for a reserve next to the new Crows HQ.

A new skate park, play facilities and barbecues have been proposed as part of a multimillion-dollar redevelopment for a popular open space in Adelaide’s west.

West Torrens councillors last month voted to put the draft masterplan for a section of Kings Reserve – located to the west of the Adelaide Football Club lease area - out for public consultation.

Council adopted a masterplan for the reserve in 2018, intending to roll it out over 10 to 15 years, but changes around the open space, including Adelaide Football Club moving in next door and seeking to use a portion it, means the plan been delayed and amended.

Earlier, the club had to revise plans for its new headquarters after community upset over a second oval being placed on Kings Park Reserve.

“With the Adelaide Football Club leasing boundaries now determined, a new masterplan scope has been defined comprising the western portion of Kings Reserve,” council documents said.

Council said while the reserve is currently used by many families and community groups, “there is not the community infrastructure in place to support this”.

West Torrens Council's vision for the central lawn area of Kings Reserve. Picture: West Torrens Council

The new masterplan proposes dividing the western portion of Kings Reserve into several “distinct areas” to allow multiple groups to use the spaces simultaneously.

This includes:

“The area will also be expanded into a skate plaza to support street skaters, as well as roller skaters, rollerbladers, scooter riders, and BMX cyclists, in response to community feedback gathered during the consultation for the 2018 masterplan,” council documents said.

West Torrens Council's vision for nature play area of Kings Reserve. Picture: West Torrens Council

The projects will complement already completed elements of the original masterplan, which include a wetland, an upgrade to Torrensville Bowling Club facilities, and the installation of an access ramp from the Thebarton Community Centre to Kings Reserve.

The masterplan also proposes pathways connecting the space to the Brickworks marketplace and the AFC and cultural elements such as a sculpture depicting a Kaurna man making a spear and large decorative spears in the playground area.

Council estimated it could cost between $5.5 to $8.5 million to deliver the masterplan but last month resolved to cap its investment at $6.5 million.

It committed $2.45 million for the reserve in 2023 and has received more than $500,000 through an open space grant.

Originally published as West Torrens Council releases masterplan for Kings Reserve, seeking community feedback