The Paddocks – major investment for the future

WORDS Nicole Alberton

THE PADDOCKS

MAJOR INVESTMENT FOR THE FUTURE

Hay fields belonging to three prominent families: the Kesters, the McIntyres and the Goodalls – whose names are reflected around Para Hills today – became a sprawling housing estate in the 1960’s.

Many people immigrated from abroad and established themselves in our City, creating a new era of housing. At the time the Para Hills Estate was the largest private housing development in South Australia and homes were purchased as a package, which included the house, land, automatic washing machine, fridge and a 23-inch black and white television.

As the population of Para Hills grew in the early 1970’s, residents sought for the entire paddocks area (about 130 hectares) to be retained for recreational use instead of more housing.

The Paddocks soon developed into an essential green belt for residents to escape to and use the open spaces and sporting grounds, or visit the ornamental lake and wetlands.

Today, the City of Salisbury is continuing its investment in the Paddocks, understanding the contributing role it plays to the great lifestyle offering in the heart of Para Hills and the entire City. Council’s investment in the Paddocks helps to further leverage Para Hills and the rest of the City as an ideal location for home buyers and families looking to lay down roots. In fact, Para Hills and Para Hills West were ranked as property hotspots for first home buyers, according to real estate experts surveyed by The Advertiser (January, 2022).

Implementing the Paddocks Masterplan – a roadmap for the ten-year major project – is an action in our City Plan 2035 and stems from our desire to enhance the City’s environment and improve the amenity of reserves and green spaces.

After a long feedback process where regular visitors, sporting club members and local residents were asked what they thought the area needed, the Masterplan was given the green light to start in 2018.

Now in its fifth year, Council will continue to contribute major investments into this space, as detailed in the Masterplan, until its completion date in mid-2028. In the meantime, you can make the most of the elements already completed, as the Masterplan progresses with the new-look Paddocks precinct.

Next time you’re driving past or walking around the area, you might spot the new playground, new carpark on Maxwell Road and a cleared and refreshed wetlands area with a clear line of sight from most directions.

A massive adventure playground is the main star of this project, featuring a splashtasic waterplay area, interactive nature playspace and accessible play equipment for all.

It’s set to become a big hit with the youngsters, but your four-legged friends won’t be disappointed either, with a dog park for smaller dogs coming soon to complement an existing one for larger breeds.

Bordering the sporting fields will be a fitness loop, with a running track and three separate stations of fitness equipment spread out along the track.

The viewing mound is another great feature, where people can see panoramic views of the wetlands and green landscape from a higher perspective.

Elements like picnic areas and BBQs have been upgraded and an illuminated trail leaving from the car park to the main grounds has also been unveiled. Also, a new toilet facility next to the playground is in the making.

New clubrooms for Para Hills United, Northern Districts Cricket Club and Para Hills Football Club, only a short walk from these facilities, will be built to create one multi-functional space, funded in partnership by Council and the Office of Recreation, Sport and Racing.

Here’s a recap for you of what we have completed and what’s to come:

This new facility will keep our sporting community scoring goals well into the future. The upgrade is expected to be completed by the end of the year.

There’s no doubt that the Paddocks is a high-profile site and this investment will see it endure for generations to come. In many ways, Council’s investment into the Paddocks follows in the footsteps of those early farming families and homeowners who recognised its value and the returns it brings to a healthy lifestyle.

Work is still progressing and like all our major projects we can’t wait to see what you think of the new additions as they appear.

We’ve completed

3 Vegetation clearance to increase site safety of the wetlands 3 Various improvements for the health and amenity of the wetland’s eco-system 3 Off-street carparking Maxwell Road 3 Accessways with lighting to increase safety 3 A new irrigation system to extend irrigated turf to the recreation space at the top of the wetland 3 A new regional-level playground 3 Boardwalk and viewing platform on edge of pond near playground

What’s yet to come?

• Public toilets near the play space • Small dog park • New shared clubroom/s (Soccer, Cricket and AFL) • Improved access connections between residential and sports fields • Fitness loop and equipment installation • Shared Use trail around the sporting ovals • Carpark improvements across the site to support the recreation areas • Residential boundary screen vegetation tidy-up • Wayfinding signage across the site • Tidy up and improvements to the natural area at the southern end of the site • Improved pedestrian connection through the site from residential area to Bridge Road • Connection of the site to the broader shared use and walking trail network