Month: March 2017

Nine new walking trails in Anstey Hill Recreation Park, Park of the Month

Posted on by Walking SA

Anstey Hill Recreation Park is National Parks and Wildlife Service SA’s Park of the Month for March.

The park has recently been upgraded as part of a $10.4m plan to upgrade and develop more walking and cycling trails, public toilets, barbecue and picnic areas, and playgrounds in national parks close to the Adelaide metropolitan area.

There are now 9 marked walking trails in the park, which is vast improvement given there were only previously some unmarked walking routes. The new trails are mostly loops and depart from various trailheads, all with new carparks and trail information boards. The new trails include 3 that are for walkers only.

We’ve outline the 9 walking trails below:

New Walking Trails for Anstey Hill Recreation Park

Wildflower Wander1.

Wildflower Wander

1.4km, 45mins to 1 hour

The Wildflower Wander is a hike up a steep hill with rewarding views over the Adelaide Plains, as well as seasonal opportunities to view wildflowers including native orchids. The quiet gullies are a haven to a variety of small birds.

View Walk

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Advocating for Walking, March 2017 Update

  • Advocating for walking
Posted on by Walking SA

Walking SA continues to represent our member clubs, organisations and individual members as well as the general walking community in matters regarding walkability of all aspects of the walking environment.

Specifically, over the last six months we have raised our voice and will continue to do so on the issue of shared paths and trails to ensure the safety of walkers using those paths and trails. We are on ongoing discussion with the Department of Environment Water and Natural Resources (DEWNR) regarding trails in the national parks that they manage as well as local councils and other bodies with jurisdiction over other paths and trails.

DEWNR is about to launch a program in recognition of that advocacy and supported by other user groups with the I Share My Trail campaign, to make all users sensitive to the needs of other users when on trails. We will provide more information as it comes to hand.

We also plan to hold a forum in May where we can get walkers and the relevant organisations together to further discuss these issues.

Walking SA, through the commitment of a number of keen volunteers, continues to monitor, liaise and in some cases object to gazetted changes to land use that will have an adverse impact upon walkers. Our voice is heard and in most cases successfully so.

In addition, we are advised of other plans that we are sought to make comment on. The latest of these are detailed below. If you wish to make comment direct please do so if you wish to advise walking SA of issues and concerns please do so and we will consolidate that into our input for each consultation.

Burnside Council

The Council seeks comment to develop a strategy for Recreation Trails Strategy within the City of Burnside.

City of Onkaparinga

The Council is seeking comment on their new Trails and Cycling Strategic Management Plan (TCSMP) which will guide the delivery of trails and cycling projects into the future. View the map of their existing and proposed trails, including the proposed Willunga Basin Trail.

Ngaut Ngaut Conservation Park

Located on the River Murray, 12km south of Swan Reach, the Department of Environment, Water and Natural Resources is seeking feedback on the draft management plan for the park.

Proposed Adelaide 100 Walking Trail Progresses, March 2017 Update

Posted on by Walking SA

We've launched a project website for the Adelaide100 trail at adelaide100.com.au

Proposed Adelaide100 Trail RouteWalking SA continues to develop the unique Adelaide100 walking trail. We are currently finalising a budget to implement Stage 1 of our plan, and putting that together in a business plan, to seek funding support for the trail.

The major advantage this trail has in its implementation is that it uses existing trails to form the whole of the Adelaide100. As such infrastructure needs are minimised, as the various trail elements and their ongoing maintenance that make the Adelaide100 are already supported, so that what we are left to provide is signage on the trails together with interpretative signs at various locations.

Our vision goes beyond this thought to include a dedicated web site, an Adelaide100 trail app with many benefits and other features. We are planning a forum for all key stakeholders shortly at which we will present the next stage of the plan.

Study shows walking cuts hospital admissions for the over 55 population

Posted on by Walking SA

The Medical Journal of Australia has published an important study demonstrating how walking cuts hospital admissions for the over 55 population. The study concludes that health interventions and urban design that encourages walking could have “a substantial effect on the need for hospital care and should be features of health policy”.

Heart Foundation’s Heart Week Celebration Walk

Posted on by Walking SA

Heart Foundations Heart Week Celebration WalkDid you know that the simple act of walking for 30 minutes a day or more can reduce your risk of heart by as much as half.

Heart Foundation is hosting a community walk to kick of Heart Week 2017 and to celebrate the 12th anniversary of Heart Foundation Walking groups in South Australia.

  • Do you enjoy walking with family, friends or a community group?
  • Planning to set up a walking group with your work mates and want to try it out?
  • Are you a member or interested in joining a Heart Foundation Walking program – Australia’s largest FREE walking network?
  • Keen to find out more about your heart health?

Why not come along to the Heart Week Community Walk!

  • When: Saturday 29th April, Starts 9.00am, Registration from 8.30am
  • Children and dogs welcome!
  • Where: Botanic Park, Adelaide, opposite the Botanic Garden gates
  • Light refreshments and healthy morning tea provided at end of the walk
  • Register your interest to attend

Working with Recreation SA

Posted on by Walking SA

Within the Recreation SA structure Walking SA is a member of a number of groups (Outdoor Committee, Trails Advisory Group and the Trails Forum) as advocates for the walking community in South Australia.

Recreation SA recently appointed a Trails officer, Anthony Bates, with funding from the Office for Recreation Sport to assist in the ongoing development of trails in accordance with the SA Trails Master Plan. Walking SA is working closely with Anthony already.

Recreation SA is hosting a one-day conference on Monday 3rd April 2017 which is SA’s leading professional development opportunity for managers, staff and business owners in the recreation, aquatics, parks and leisure sector.

Grants available for walking clubs from the Office for Recreation and Sport

Posted on by Walking SA

Active Club Program

The Active Club Program helps active recreation and sports clubs with:

  • program and equipment (up to $5,000) and
  • facility upgrade requests (up to $25,000)

Round 43 is currently open and closes on 10th April 2017.

Community Recreation and Sport Facilities Program

The Community Recreation and Sport Facilities Program helps eligible organisations to establish or improve sport and active recreation facilities that meet the needs of the community in South Australia.

Organisations can apply under the following categories:

  • Minor facility development (requests $25,000 – $200,000) and
  • Major facility development (requests $200,000 – $1,000,000)

The funding round is currently open and closes on 10th April 2017.

The Eyre Trails Project Builds Momentum

Posted on by Walking SA

The Eyre Trails Project Builds MomentumThe Eyre Trails project has been developing a concept for hiking and biking trails on the Eyre Peninsula.

During a recent meeting with stakeholders the proposed projects include:

  • a 50km+ trek trail connecting local trail networks
  • a coastal trail
  • kayak trails
  • BBQ/picnic area
  • campsites and environmental education

It is great to see the project ideas developing so well. Project partners include the District Council of Tumby Bay, Natural Resources Eyre Peninsula and Regional Development Australia Whyalla and Eyre Peninsula.

Follow the project on Facebook

Walking SA – Walking Awards 2017

Posted on by Walking SA

Walking SA initiated the Walking SA Walking Awards in 2016 which were presented at an event in October 2016.

The Walking SA Awards for 2017 are now open in the following categories:

  • Longstanding Contribution /Distinguished Service Award – Individual
  • Special Recognition Award – Individual
  • Special Recognition Award – Group/Organisation
  • Local Government Award – Individual
  • Local Government Award – Organisation

For more information please see: walkingsa.org.au/awards.

We’re accepting nominations for the 2017 awards.

Friends of Parks groups: volunteers working for conservation

Posted on by Walking SA

Friends of Parks logoThere are Friends of Parks groups throughout South Australia. Most national parks have a group of friends passionate about their conservation and protection. Special Interest Groups also abound. They range in area of interest from butterflies to hiking adventures; from the heritage and history of the Adelaide Gaol to walking the Heysen Trail. With so much to choose from you’re bound to find something to occupy those spare hours!

For more information please refer to environment.sa.gov.au/get-involved and friendsofparkssa.org.au.

Australian Walking & Cycling Conference 2017

Posted on by Walking SA

Australian Walking & Cycling Conference logoThe 2017 Australian Walking & Cycling Conference will be on July 17th and 18th in Adelaide.

“The simple acts of walking and cycling have the potential to transform the places we live, our economies and how we engage with the environment. The Australian Walking and Cycling Conference… explores the potential for walking and cycling to not only provide for transport and recreation but solutions to livability, health, community building, economic development and sustainability.”

Read more on the conference website.

Conquer Kangaroo Island Wilderness Trail to Conquer Arthritis

Posted on by Walking SA

Conquer Kangaroo Island Wilderness Trail to Conquer Arthritis

The remote and spectacular new Kangaroo Island Wilderness Trail will be traversed by a small band of people in October 2017 wanting to draw attention to arthritis and raise money for research into treatments in 2017.

This is the first time that Arthritis SA has picked a “home” destination for its trek, held every two years. Previous treks have honed in on international destinations like China, India and New Zealand.

Find out more on the Arthritis SA website.

New Office Location

Posted on by Walking SA

New address:
118 Richmond Road, Marleston SA 5033

Over the Christmas/New Year period Walking SA relocated its office to 118 Richmond Road, Marleston SA 5033. We have relocated alongside Active Ageing Australia. This is within the building of Arthritis SA on the corner of South Road and Richmond Road. All tenants at our previous location at State Association House, Kent Town vacated at the end of December 2016 as the landlord had a new commercial tenant.

Our phone number remains as 0457 006 620.