Community members of all ages can let their minds run wild while enjoying a new park upgrade in the Town of Walkerville, South Australia.
As part of a mini redevelopment of a local – and previously underutilised – park, council has turned Crawford Reserve into a vibrant and engaging green space for the community to relax, as well as gather with family and friends.
Council’s outdoor team sourced an old, rundown London-themed telephone box, restored it to its former glory and transformed it into a community book library – which has become the pinnacle of the park. Inside are a range of books for all ages and a “finska” game – catering for children, families and the elderly population at the adjacent aged care home.
Town of Walkerville group manager assets and infrastructure James Kelly praised his team for the creative design and application of the project, which was undertaken in partnership with LCS Landscapes.
“The aim of the upgrade was to turn the park into an accessible and fun open space that all members of our community could enjoy,” Mr Kelly said.
“It’s been fantastic to see so many people looking in the telephone box for a book to read at the reading nook shelter in the reserve, as well as children running around the grass labyrinth, which is regularly maintained by our outdoor field staff.”
The upgrade also includes a picnic table, barbecue, additional bench seating, an irrigation system upgrade to increase efficiency and disability-friendly paths surrounding the reserve.
In addition, it touches on pieces of the township’s past – from the uplighting installed to highlight the magnificent 15ft-high Royal Oak tree that was donated by the family of a local surgeon born in 1873, to the replica cast iron gates of one of the area’s historic estates (‘Holmwood’).
The park was opened for community use at the beginning of October 2022 and has since received positive feedback.
Further information can be found by visiting walkerville.sa.gov.au/crawford-reserve-upgrade
