Thilina Gunasekara
Secret State: It Took a Court Case to Reveal ...

It took a Federal Court case to find out what the State Government is actually planning for John E. Brown Park. 

A two-storey driving range, 108 car parks, up to 400 metres of netting, an 18-hole mini-golf course, retail facilities, new roads, water tanks and other infrastructure — all on public Park Lands. 

These are significant changes, yet despite repeated questions, the community has had no meaningful opportunity to see or comment on the plans. 

Why did it take a court case for South Australians to find out what is being proposed for their Park Lands? 

Secret State: It Took a Court Case to Reveal Plans for John E. Brown Park
Thilina Gunasekara
MotoGP Deemed Too Dangerous for Street Circuits ...

“MotoGP has not raced on a street circuit since 1982, and the reason for that was that riders kept dying.” As Adelaide plans to bring MotoGP back onto city streets, safety concerns could have profound consequences for the surrounding Park Lands. 

MotoGP Deemed Too Dangerous for Street Circuits Since 1982
Thilina Gunasekara
Sophie's story. Young People Love Park Lands ...

For 16-year-old Sophie, the Adelaide Park Lands are more than a park — they’re her backyard, her running track and part of her home.

Sophie's story. Young People Love Park Lands Too!
Thilina Gunasekara
Finding Connection in Adelaide Park Lands

For almost a decade, Trees for Life’s Regenerate program has been bringing people together in the Adelaide Park Lands through Bushcare, nature, culture and connection. 

We talk with Tricia Curtis about how caring for nature can also mean caring for ourselves—and why the Park Lands are such an important place for community wellbeing. 

Finding Connection in Adelaide Park Lands
Thilina Gunasekara
Newsletter: 04 August 2026

CONTENTS

1. Editorial: From the President: The Movement to Stop the Chop Is Growing

2. Members are Ready for Battle: Park Lands Association Forum

3. Park Poetry - Flying foxes (Fruit Bats)

4. Pic of the Month – Dr Bird Nerd

5. Charles Sturt and Prospect Council Join the Campaign for Your Lands

6. The Pen Is Mightier than! 28,000 signatures and counting

7. The First Hints of Spring: Guided Walk Through Red Gum Park / Karra Wirra

8. OPINION: Time to Debunk Some Misinformation

9. SE City Residents Raise Concerns About Proposed MotoGP in the Park Lands

10. The Mosquito vs the Elephant: Save Festival Plaza Update

Newsletter: 04 August 2026

Purple pain?

Purple pain?

Do jacaranda trees suck?

According to Adelaide pollination ecologist and educator Bianca Amato, they do. She believes the well-loved trees, though pretty, are “ecological dead zones”.

Meanwhile, plane trees have also come under attack interstate, with Sydney’s city council phasing out their use across its streets and parks. Environmentalist Tim Flannery has labelled the species “about as much use to our wildlife as concrete posts”. Could the same happen here?

Motor racing near wetland?

Motor racing near wetland?

Park lovers have questioned why the State Government chose to return the Adelaide 500 car race to Victoria Park / Pakapakanthi (Park 16) after award-winning biodiversity wetlands were created there.  

Birds and other wildlife have proliferated in the area since the $13 million, 3.2-hectare wetland was opened in the southern part of the Park in 2022.

Meet our membership officer

Meet our membership officer

Many people volunteer behind the scenes at the Adelaide Park Lands Association, helping operations to run smoothly.

One such person is Alexandra Buzila, who joined us this year as membership officer. This week, we’ve swung the spotlight her way, asking her about her passions - including for conservation, travel, and events in your Park Lands.