Glenthorne National Park - Ityamaiitpinna Yarta, Adelaide's second metropolitan national park, has opened its gates to the public for the first time today.
Park visitors are now able to access a loop trail which starts and ends at the Glenthorne Ranger Station just off Majors Road, at O'Halloran Hill, looping for four kilometres around significant areas of the new park.
To mark the significant occasion, a major planting event has been held at the park to contribute towards the ecological restoration and reinstatement of native vegetation on the site.
Premier Steven Marshall, who officially opened the national park on Sunday, said members of the public can now enjoy access to the property from 8am until 7pm, seven days a week.
"It's an exciting day for the people of Adelaide's southern suburbs and beyond to finally enjoy free and open access to Glenthorne National Park," said Premier Marshall.
"The new national park presents a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to preserve and revitalise a significant portion of open space and turn it into a thriving environmental and recreational precinct for future generations.
"The Glenthorne precinct is just a 30-minute drive from the CBD, and will allow more people to get into parks to enjoy our natural environment which is good for people's physical and mental wellbeing."
Minister for Environment and Water David Speirs said the opening of Glenthorne National Park for public access was an historic moment.
"To be able to welcome the public into Glenthorne for the first time is significant step and it is just the beginning for our vision for the site," said Minister Speirs.
"Over the coming months and years the Glenthorne precinct – which takes in Glenthorne Farm, O'Halloran Hill Recreation Park, Marino Conservation Park and Hallett Cove Conservation Park – will be transformed into an environmental and recreational hub.
"For many years under the former Labor Government a cloud hung over the future of the property, but through the passion of the local community and a commitment from the Liberal Party, Glenthorne has been saved and will be revitalised for future generations to enjoy.
"I'm extremely grateful for the huge effort of the Glenthorne Partnership, a group of community representatives, who have played a significant role in the development of this park.
"We have already seen significant works undertaken including a new ranger station, park infrastructure and the demolition of the unusable buildings on site and I look forward to seeing our masterplan unfold."
The Glenthorne National Park Masterplan includes a hub which will be a destination for education, learning and social connection through an events space and visitor centre featuring Kaurna culture and history. It also includes a heritage precinct, nature play and picnic areas, a wetland, and a small bush camping site.
The Masterplan, led by Aspect Studios, has just received the Award of Excellence in the Landscape Management category of the Australian Institute of Landscape Architects (AILA) 2020 SA Landscape Architecture Awards.
The judge commented that "with an authentic and extensive co-design process which balanced community aspirations with environmental objectives and economic sustainability, the Glenthorne National Park Master Plan sets a benchmark that will inform the coordinated approach to park planning and management for years to come".
The Glenthorne precinct will now undergo a massive revegetation program, while recreational opportunities will be woven into the landscape including walking and cycling trails, picnic sites and a massive nature playground developed in partnership with both local and federal governments.
