FREE SA National Parks vehicle entry – take the kids to walk and explore

Nature Play - FREE SA National Parks vehicle entry 1024px

Thanks to the guys at Nature Play.

South Australian Parks are special places that provide a safe home for thousands of plants and animals that are found nowhere else in the world. Hike, ride, swim, climb, camp, play or take photographs at any of South Australia’s great Parks listed below with this free vehicle entry pass!

Need some inspiration for where to walk and explore? Check out the SA National Parks Guide.

Photos courtesy of Play & Go.

AGM + Annual Report Published + Hear Speaker on Vision of Adelaide Hills Trail Strategy

Our AGM is 7pm next Thursday, 30 October 2014, at the Unley Community Centre, 18 Arthur Street, Unley.

Light nibbles and drinks will be provided.

View the Agenda.

Annual Report Published

Walking-SA-Annual-Report-2013-14-promo-coverRead our Annual Report.

Highlights include:

  • eleven highlights of the past year
  • read about the year’s achievements in the Chairman’s Report
  • letter from the Government of SA congratulating the Board on the successful implementation of the recommendations of the 2013 Governance Review
  • an overview of our membership
  • report from our new Executive Officer
  • Treasurers Report about supplementing government grant income and handling of the annual insurance renewals
  • the success of our Walking Expo
  • Verdun Bridge Feasibility Study
  • Trails Report including the progress on the Mount Lofty Ranges Trails Walking Trail Network

AGM Guest Speaker – Adelaide Hills 20 Year Trail Strategy

Adelaide Hills Trails Network Strategy for website

Our AGM guest speaker, Mark de Lange from Adelaide Hills Council, will give a short presentation on the Adelaide Hills 20 Year Trail Strategy.

The strategy is designed to link townships for commuting purposes, provide unique experiences for visitors and provide outlets for recreational activity. Trail opportunities identified include a mix of walking, cycling and horse riding trails; some for shared use and other trails designed specifically for walking.

Read the strategy: Part One and Part Two.

Art Exhibition: Echoes of the Heysen Trail

Echoes of the Heysen Trail

The guys over at the Friends of the Heysen Trail are hosting an art exhibition this coming month. South Australia’s 1,200km Heysen Trail extends from Cape Jervis, on the Fleurieu Peninsula, to Parachilna Gorge, in the Flinders Ranges, traversing coastal areas, native bushland, rugged gorges, pine forests, vineyards, rich farmland and historic towns.

Exhibition Opening
2.30pm Saturday 1 November 2014
Robin Hood Hotel, 315 Portrush Rd, Norwood
Free entry

Exhibition 1 Nov – 30 Nov 2014

A range of paintings on the Heysen Trail available for purchase, varying sizes.

Artists
Marree De Souza
Marika Lis

Proposed 400km Walking Trail along River Murray – Feedback Sought

UPDATE July 2016

There is a project update published in July 2016.

Murraylands River Trail Feasibility StudyA walking and riding trail along the River Murray is being considered by three councils – Rural City of Murray Bridge, the Mid Murray Council and the Coorong District Council.

A feasibility study is underway and input is being sought. The trail could begin in Salt Creek on the Coroong, following the Coorong to the Murray Mouth, then following the meandering River Murray to Morgan via Tailem Bend, Murray Bridge and Mannum. The trail will provide links to a number of iconic and historic river towns, major tourism attractions and other existing trail networks along its route.

This feedback survey allows people to view the preliminary trail alignment prior to the land survey commencing. The feedback survey closes 3 November 2014.

You can review the high level alignment maps:

Get Funding for People Friendly Streets and Safer Roads

content_imageResidents Win is a funding program to people friendly streets and safer roads. Creating a liveable street environment, that encourages walking, cycling and the safe use by other road users help create liveable communities and people friendly streets.

Do people feel safe and comfortable getting around in your local area? Or are there road related behaviours that seem inappropriate and make people feel unsafe?

Would you like to improve local road safety and help create places that are easy to get around and enjoy?

Residents Win can help you identify the most appropriate solutions to increase your understanding of road safety issues and to create people friendly streets and safer roads.

Solutions that are then funded might include projects to address specific problem behaviours or a project that might improve the physical environment, or both.

The application is easy, and an Ideas Planner is available to develop your idea.

Step forward for Kangaroo Island Wilderness Trail

Walking-the-south-west-coast-of-Kangaroo-Island-Jeremy-Carter-IMG_8667The $5m five-day walking trail that the Government of SA is developing on Kangaroo Island has been officially named the Kangaroo Island Wilderness Trail.

The project was announced during the Budget earlier this year.

“The Trail will give walkers the opportunity to experience the outstanding natural beauty of Flinders Chase National Park, Cape Bouguer Wilderness Protection Area and Kelly Hill Conservation Park. The trail will lead them to Cape du Couedic light house, Admirals Arch, Remarkable Rocks and Kelly Hill Caves,” said Environment and Conservation Minister Ian Hunter.

“We expect the Kangaroo Island Wilderness Trail will bring up to another 5000 visitors to Kangaroo Island every year, adding to the 190 000 people who already make the trip,” he said.

The government hopes the trail will rival other popular walks such as New Zealand’s Milford Track and the Overland Track in Tasmania.

The trail is set to be completed in June 2016.

Walking SA Annual General Meeting

The Walking SA Annual General Meeting will be held on Thursday, 30 October 2014 from 7.00pm at the Unley Community Centre, 18 Arthur Street, Unley.

The evening will commence with a short presentation from Mark de Lange who will present on the Adelaide Hills Council 20 Year Trail Strategy and Action Plan, the current Adelaide Hills walking trail network, and other Hills walking matters of interest. The strategy is designed to link townships for commuting purposes, provide unique experiences for visitors and provide outlets for recreational activity. Trail opportunities identified include a mix of walking, cycling and horse riding trails; some for shared use and other trails designed specifically for walking. Read the strategy: Part One and Part Two.

View the Agenda.

Please advise your availability to attend, RSVPing via email (office@walkingsa.org.au) by 23 October 2014.

Light nibbles and drinks will be provided.  We look forward to seeing you on the night.

Letter of congratulations to Walking SA from Office for Recreation and Sport Executive Director

This letter was received from Paul Anderson, Executive Director, Office for Recreation and Sport. It congratulates Walking SA on the successful implementation of the majority of the recommendations of the recent Governance Review conducted by PKF Organisations Development on behalf of the Office for Recreation and Sport (ORS).

Your Strategic Plan 2014-16 has set out clear goals for the board to work towards and was an opportunity for the members and other stakeholders to input into the future direction of their association.

View the original letter document.

Extract of letter:

Ms Narelle Berry
Acting Chair, Walking SA
PO Box 1094, PASADENA SA 5042

Dear Ms Berry

I would like to congratulate the Board of Walking SA (WSA) and the previous Chair, Ms Cate Mettam, on the successful implementation of the majority of the recommendations of the recent Governance Review conducted by PKF Organisations Development on behalf of the Office for Recreation and Sport (ORS).

The work of the Board has refreshed the image, broadened the scope and set up a structure and strategic direction that has positioned Walking SA to take advantage of opportunities for partnerships and membership growth.

By developing the Charier of Board Responsibilities, the current Board has left a valuable legacy of documentation that supports current and future individual board directors undertake their role. The Charter will ensure clarity about the expectations placed on them and provides guidance for activities and decisions.

Your Strategic Plan 2014-16 has set out clear goals for the board to work towards and was an opportunity for the members and other stakeholders to input into the future direction of their association.

The creation of a new dynamic website and the successful Walking Expo in March, have provided a new profile for Walking SA and are great tools for promoting your services.

The Find a Walk tool is an offering that demonstrates your commitment to servicing the wider community of walkers. This tool encourages new engagement with your organisation and may build a marketable network of contacts for potential sponsors.

I am also pleased to hear of the positive approach you have taken as a representative on the Trails Committee,and your strong relationship with like-minded organisations such as Horse SA and Bicycle SA. I understand that you have also been proactive in supporting the consultation process for the new Adventure Activity Standards.

Finally, the recruitment of an Executive Officer will support the Board in the implementation of the strategic plan and to drive initiatives to support current and new members. I understand that your new Executive Officer, Ms Dannielle McBeath has experience in marketing, events and strong networks in media and business.

I look forward to hearing the progress of your organisation’s continued growth in the regular internal reports on Governance projects from my staff.

Michelle lngrames, Senior Project Officer – Sport Governance, is your Industry Advisor and will continue to be available to Walking SA, as you finalise the recommendations of the review. Michelle can be contacted on 7424 7729.

Yours sincerely
Paul Anderson
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
Office for Recreation and Sport
October 2014