Jimmy Melrose Park

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South Esplenade, Glenelg, SA

In 2000, this $1.5m landmark project was initiated as part of the State Government’s Adelaide Metropolitan 'Coast Park' initiative.

This most significant study was realised through a complex consultation exercise, which demanded subtle sophisticated outcomes. The design proposals responded to the community expectations with solutions that capture the distinctive character of the park and embellish the current uses. In particular, the consideration of detailed issues that address the movement and safety of pedestrians and cyclists underpinned the development of the design proposals.

Designed with a series of connected inter-related theme spaces along the park, each theme captures and enhances the existing and distinctive character and 'sense of place' of each particular location. Alongside regulatory signage, opportunities for informative and artistic features were included, such as environmental graphics depicting 'wet bicycle tyre marks' intertwined with footprints which were laid into the path surfaces to indicate the shared space and a striking artistic feature included at one of the theme spaces, where a mosaic paving mural has been installed capturing the achievements of Jimmy Melrose.

New design features of the park included two sun shelters which were designed with subtle references to the wing shapes of a bi-plane which complemented the surrounding architecture. Regrading of the expansive lawn area and the use of two contrasting grass types with changes in level created the 'waves of time' effect underfoot, whereby a pattern in the form of the crests of waves roll along the lawn. The team also took the opportunity to incorporate new park features to provide greater accessibility to the beach, particularly for wheel-bound visitors. A ramped timber platform – 'sunrise over the beach' – spans out from the pedestrian pathway, puncturing the sea wall and bursting over the sand, providing both improved beach access and additional informal seating on the timber 'sunrays'. The centre of the 'sun' is marked by one of the new shelters.

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