Update: November 2021
The redevelopment of Admella Place, Thebarton (between Light Terrace and George Street) is currently underway and is expected to be completed in early 2022.
The detailed design reflects the key features which the community involved in the process found desirable.
A complete upgrade of all elements of the road and reserve is proposed including:
- reconstruction and installation of asphalt and brick paved road pavement
- new brick paved vehicular parking bays (short-term parking)
- brick paved footpaths
- feature concrete footpaths with paving bands
- improved access links to support pedestrian and cycling movements
- stormwater drainage upgrades
- new multi-use court
- new lighting, shelter and seating areas
- new street and reserve trees
- landscaping, including open lawn areas
- new nature based play areas.
History
This existing pocket park was created in the mid-1990s through the closure of the intersection of Admella Street and Chapel Street, Thebarton to through traffic and the utilisation of the road reserve to the establishment of a public reserve space.
In recent years, the greater local community felt the park, which has had little attention or improvement since it was established, provideded little benefit to the community and was an underutilised and often avoided space.
In early 2017 the City of West Torrens responded to a request from the local community in Thebarton to look at ways that we could breathe new life into the reserve at the end of Admella Street. The project, which became known as the Admella Street Laneway, originated from a local café owner with the desire to bring local residents and businesses together to activate a local reserve as a pocket park.
In order to help facilitate the bringing together of the community, business owners and Council representatives, Wax Design was contracted to host a two-part community engagement program that explored the potential upgrade of this laneway.
Community engagement workshops and placemaking
The workshops were attended by local residents, business owners and property owners who took part in interviews, cognitive mapping and three dimensional planning techniques, using Lego, model making and plasticine. These methods enabled people to explore the potential of the site by modelling how they wanted it to look.
The community also participated in an engagement opportunity whereby they shared ideas and brainstormed concepts around design elements and how they could benefit users of a proposed pocket park.
To enhance this experience, Adelaide company Refuel Creative recorded the active community engagement process on video to highlight how the community, Council and consultants can work together to generate concepts, expand ideas and understand and resolve issues.
Outcome
The Admella Place architectural plan was the direct result of the community engagement and reflects the ideas and concepts of the participants. The concept plan shows a range of facilities including, native plantings, nature play, multi-use court, lighting and seating for relaxing and outdoor dining.
Awards
In November 2019, the Planning Institute of Australia recognised the public engagement and community planning that was undertaken as part of the Admella Place Project. The steps taken to create a functional vision reflecting the desires of the community garnered the City of West Torrens and WAX Design a Commendation Award (Public Engagement and Community Planning).
