New adventure playground opens at Glenthorne National Park-Ityamaiitpinna Yarta
A state-of-the-art adventure playground and visitor hub are among the new attractions at the upgraded Glenthorne National Park-Ityamaiitpinna Yarta, which is now open to the public.
The adventure playground features three slides, a seesaw, spinner, fossil dig area, Kaurna carvings and sculptures set across 7,000 square metres, making it one of the biggest nature play spaces in South Australia.
There are also rope and log climbing features, a pendulum swing, cubby building, a 25m long flying fox and a wide range of accessible equipment to ensure children of all abilities can enjoy the space.
The adventure playground, which was opened on Sunday, 30 July, is surrounded by a purpose-built visitor hub that includes shelters, BBQs, toilets, picnic areas, carparks and heritage buildings.
Glenthorne National Park-Ityamaiitpinna Yarta is 16km south of Adelaide in O’Halloran Hill.
Families and other visitors can explore the wider park on foot or bike using the trails that extend out from the visitor hub. The trails feature interpretive signs and an interactive app, which explores the Aboriginal and European history of the park, as well as its environmental restoration and activities for children.
The South Australian Government contributed $13.9 million towards the project including providing the land and funding for the main building works. The City of Marion contributed $2.2 million and the Commonwealth a further $0.85 million through the Adelaide City Deal.
The $698.6 million Adelaide City Deal is helping to create an innovative and vibrant city by growing the innovation economy, supporting population growth across South Australia and boosting Adelaide’s cultural and tourism economy.
The Department for Environment and Water's Executive Director National Parks and Wildlife Service, Mike Williams, said the adventure playground and visitor hub were an important part of the community’s vision for Glenthorne National Park-Ityamaiitpinna Yarta.
"The new inclusive adventure playground and other attractions at the park are a wonderful way for children and all visitors to immerse themselves in nature and explore the cultural and heritage experiences on offer," he said.
"The Department for Environment and Water has collaborated closely with representatives from the Kaurna community to develop some of the new attractions, including an interactive 'Footprints of the Past' trail."
Extra National Parks and Wildlife Service staff will be on hand during the busy opening period to help visitors explore the park and have fun learning more about nature.
