Hope Valley Reservoir in Adelaide's north eastern suburbs will open to the public for the first time in its 150-year history in time for the summer school holidays.
A range of land-based recreational activities such as walking, cycling and picnicking will be available from Sunday 13 December with planning underway for a community event to celebrate the occasion.
Minister for Environment and Water David Speirs said the opening marks yet another milestone in the Marshall Liberal Government's initiative to open reservoirs for the South Australian community.
"We have engaged with Hope Valley residents and the local Community Reference Group throughout the past year about what they wanted to see, and it's exciting that within just a matter of weeks this beautiful open space will be open for everyone to enjoy," Minister Speirs said.
"This will the first metropolitan reservoir to be open for recreational access and as we have seen at other reservoirs across the state, there will be significant environmental, social and economic benefits for the local community.
"The Marshall Liberal Government is investing record amounts in South Australia's parks to drive increased tourism and visitation, improve facilities, support regional economies and create jobs.
"Construction works are continuing as we speak at Hope Valley, to create a number of picnic spaces and a network of walking and cycling trails throughout the reserve linking to the existing adjacent O-Bahn Bikeway, with fitness equipment and a nature play area to also be built early next year.
"This will be a natural space for everyone to explore in the heart of suburban Adelaide, and I can't wait to see people head to Hope Valley and enjoy the natural space for the first time in almost 150 years."
Member for Newland Richard Harvey said Hope Valley Reservoir will offer wonderful recreation and relaxation opportunities to visitors for generations to come.
"The opening of Hope Valley is something residents have been looking forward to for decades and for them to finally have an opening date is very exciting," Dr Harvey said.
"Some of the best views on offer this summer will be from atop the dam wall, and visitors will get the chance to either walk, run or cycle across the wall's entire 800 metre length or pack the binoculars and watch the local birdlife from the newly-constructed shelters.
"After 147 years, the possibilities of this under-utilised site will finally be realised, and I know many in the community will be very excited to get access to Hope Valley Reservoir Reserve in time for the school holidays."
Constructed in 1873 with a water capacity of 2.9 billion litres and currently the city's oldest reservoir still in use, Hope Valley is the fifth South Australian reservoir reserve to open for expanded recreational access under a Marshall Liberal Government.
More information about recreational access at South Australian reservoir reserves is available at www.reservoirs.sa.gov.au
Myponga Reservoir Reserve is open for land-based recreational activities and shoreline fishing is also available with a permit. On-water access for kayaking will be introduced in early to mid-2021.
Bundaleer, South Para and Warren reservoir reserves are open for fishing, kayaking, walking, and cycling.
Happy Valley Reservoir Reserve will offer kayaking, fishing, walking and cycling opportunities by the end of next year.
