Coulls Reserve and playspace - proposed upgrades

Update: This consultation is closed and we are currently reviewing feedback received

Background

Council is seeking feedback from the community about proposed upgrades to Coulls Reserve and playspace. Coulls Reserve is located on the corner of Hillside Avenue and Historic Drive, Highbury.

Council’s Open Space Asset Management Plan identifies the playspace at Coulls Reserve to be upgraded from a local level playspace to neighbourhood level. The Open Space Asset Management Plan 2025 - 2034 outlines the way in which Council plans, designs and maintains its playspaces across the City and covers hierarchy, design principles, service levels, and design outcomes.

In this financial year Council has allocated $500,000 to upgrade the reserve and playspace. Subject to final design and budgetary considerations, the proposed upgrades (which can be found in the attached draft concept plan) include:

• New tree plantings to provide shade
• New garden beds featuring local native plant species
• New concrete and compacted gravel paths
• Upgraded irrigation system and increased turf/grassed area
• Replacement of play equipment to include:
  1. Swings
  2. Slide
  3. Climbing structure
  4. Log steppers
  5. Sand and water play elements
  6. Theming concepts to include references to the nearby historical flour mill that once operated on the River Torrens in Highbury
• New accessible nature discovery trail
• Public art and interpretative signage (updating existing historical signage)
• New inclusive picnic area and shelter
• New outdoor park furniture, including litter bin and drinking fountain
• Retain and protect existing significant trees with new tree plantings to increase shade
• Shade sails over the playspace retained and refreshed (repainting poles and clean)

Given the playspace’s neighbourhood classification and location, the provision of a toilet or BBQ is not being considered.

Play opportunities and age group proposed for the playspace

Neighbourhood playspaces offer diverse play opportunities that will draw people from the wider area, are larger compared to local playspaces and will generally provide play opportunities for two age groups. They may include some passive and imaginative play elements such as nature or water play, along with sliding, swinging, balancing, spinning or rocking and climbing play types.

Coulls Reserve is now classified as a neighbourhood playspace, with the two age groups proposed to provide play opportunities for are 0-4 years and 5-9 years of age. This is based on demographic data which shows the area surrounding Coulls Reserve is experiencing population growth in children aged 9 and under, and has been considered in the development of the draft concept plan.

For more information, please refer to the Information Sheet and Coulls Reserve draft concept plan.

An Easy Read version of the draft Coulls Reserve concept plan is also available.

To get involved and have your say:

• Register here under Profile (if you haven't already, otherwise you can sign in when prompted)
• Provide feedback by completing the online feedback form
• Have a question? Ask us here. Have a look to see what questions have already been answered before

We value your comments and would appreciated your feedback by 5pm Friday 28th February 2025.

If you need assistance to participate in this consultation, please call Valdis Zvaigzne on 8397 7444 or send us a message