by Emma Moss

If you’ve been visiting the southern Park Lands in recent days you might have noticed careful works beginning around two cherished historical features: the two pergolas at Peppermint Park / Wita Wirra (Park 18) and Veale Park / Walyu Yarta (Park 21).

*Top: The 1978 “Mabuhay” mahogany pergola in Veale Gardens, Veale Park / Walyu Yarta (Park 21); and bottom: the 1912 wooden pergola in Osmond Gardens, Peppermint Park / Wita Wirra (Park 18).*

Over several weeks in February-March, the City of Adelaide is undertaking renewal works on these structures to (in their words) “create an improved and well-maintained structure that matches into the existing fabric”. Kadaltilla / the Park Lands Authority describes this as “carefully refreshing” the structures. They say “it’s important to maintain the historical appearance [of these two pergolas] whilst positively contributing to the surrounding environment.”

The renewal works on the pergolas are part of ongoing park infrastructure maintenance that supports both community use and the conservation of features that contribute to the distinct heritage of your Adelaide Park Lands.

Osmond Gardens pergola

In Peppermint Park / Wita Wirra (Park 18), the vine-covered pergola sits at the heart of what remains of Osmond Gardens. The pergola sits in a serene pocket garden created in the early 1900s under the direction of August Wilhelm Pelzer, Adelaide’s long-serving City Gardener from 1899 to 1932.

Osmond Gardens was named in honour of South Australia’s first Colonial Treasurer, Osmond Gilles. Laid out between 1906 and 1908, the garden also featured paths, beds, and rock formations.

Osmond Gardens has been described as “the forgotten neighbour” of the better-known Himeji Japanese Garden which sits alongside in Peppermint Park / Wita Wirra (Park 18).

*The Osmond Gardens pergola, pictured in 1913, the year after its construction. Pic: City of Adelaide archives.*

The pergola was constructed in 1912, and remains a focal point for rest and reflection.

Over the past 113 years, this pergola has welcomed generations of park visitors. It draws a direct line back to Pelzer’s philosophy: that parks should not merely be open space, but places for calm, contemplation, and community.

Views from inside the Osmond Gardens pergola.

Veale Gardens pergola

Just one kilometre to the west, in Veale Park / Walyu Yarta (Park 21), a renewal project is also underway on the 1978 Mabuhay Pergola.

This pergola is covered in Chinese Wisteria vine, and during spring it is shrouded in purple perfumed blossoms.

*The Mabuhay pergola in Veale Gardens, Veale Park / Walyu Yarta (Park 21).*

Mabuhay is the word for “alive” in the Tagalog language of the Philippines. It “welcomes you to enjoy a long life”. The Mabuhay pergola was donated by Philippines timber producers and local importers.

It's made of Philippines mahogany and another timber, a critically endangered hardwood of south-east Asia known as Apitong.

This pergola is much more recent than the one in Osmond Gardens; however, it forms part of the landscape creation within your Adelaide Park Lands in the mid-20th century.

*Visiting the Mabuhay pergola on one of APA’s* ***Guided Walks.***

Renewal of this pergola will hopefully ensure that it continues to serve park users, complementing other welcoming features of Veale Gardens.

Across both sites, the restorations under way reflect a recognition that historical park structures are worth maintaining and enhancing, not simply replacing.

These pergolas are more than timber and beams; they are historical markers within your Park Lands’ evolving story. Their renewal seeks to preserve aspects of the cultural history of your Adelaide Park Lands, while ensuring both pergolas remain robust enough for continued use, contributing to the landscape and to the enjoyment of park visitors.

One other pergola

There is a third pergola within your Adelaide Park Lands that is not part of the current restoration efforts. This pergola or arbor is much more recent, having been erected in 1997, in Rymill Park / Murlawirrapurka (Park 14).