by Shane Sody
There’s been a lot of temporary fencing, scaffolding, and new retaining walls popping up recently in your Adelaide Park Lands.
1. SA Water in Park 25.
A massive turf re-laying project is underway, behind temporary fencing in Gladys Elphick Park / Narnungga (Park 25).
Truckloads of fresh turf have been delivered and are being installed on the western side of Oval #1 near the railway line.
Pictured 20 March, 2026: Oval #1, Gladys Elphick Park / Narnungga (Park 25)
A City of Adelaide spokesperson has advised us that:
“These works (sewer and water) are being undertaken by SA Water as part of the new Women’s and Children’s Hospital project. The works involve trenching through the back ovals licensed to SACA and are expected to be completed by September 2026.”
See our Trail Guide article for more info about the sports fields in Park 25.
2. Elder Park, Gather Round
Temporary fences surrounding Elder Park in Tarntanya Wama (Park 26) started going up in mid-March, almost three weeks before the scheduled commencement of the AFL’s Gather Round.
“Gather Round” runs from Thursday 9 April to Sunday 12 April, but requires significant temporary infrastructure to be installed in Elder Park.
3. University footbridge
The 1937 State heritage-listed University footbridge over the River Torrens / Karrawirra Pari has been getting some TLC.
Contractor, McMahon Services carried out works during March, to address what a City of Adelaide spokesperson described as “minor cracking identified during a previous audit.”
On 20 March, the project was temporarily blocking the shared-use pedestrian path on both sides of the river. Work had been completed before the end of the month.
We’ve been told that “these repairs will help prevent further deterioration, maintain structural integrity, and ensure the ongoing safety and usability of the footbridge for pedestrians.”
See our Trail Guide article to learn more about the 1937 University footbridge.
The usual view of the 1937 University footbridge
4. Angas memorial
A memorial in nearby Angas Gardens, 400 metres downstream in the same Red Gum Park/Karrawirra (Park 12) has also been getting a refresh.
A City of Adelaide spokesperson has told us that the renewal works include “steam cleaning, repointing, and sealing of the copper roof. These works will help preserve the condition and appearance of the memorial.”
Pictured on 19 March 2026: the Angas memorial behind its temporary fence and scaffolding, and right; how it normally appears.
Like the University footbridge, the Angas memorial is also a State Heritage place. Initially installed on North Terrace in 1915, it was moved to its present location in Angas Gardens, Park 12, in 1930. See our Trail Guide article to learn more about this memorial, and about Angas Gardens.
5. Restoring a stone retaining wall
In the same Park - along the riverbank near several boat sheds, this retaining wall was getting re-constructed from late March 2025.
6. Path upgrade, Helen Mayo Park
A riverside pathway leading westwards from the Victoria Bridge (Montefiore Road bridge) has re-opened, after being closed for several weeks until mid-March. The new pathway has been widened and resurfaced and now features a retaining wall.
See our Trail Guide article for more info about the Victoria Bridge and Helen Mayo Park.
