How else are they going to encourage kids to stay inside watching TV and playing video games and then blame both for kids-these-days behaviours?
We have had a different stroke of luck here. Part of Belair National Park was turned into a golf course, this has now closed and they are looking for an alternative to replace it.
The land was segregated from BNP for a nine-hole golf course during the Great Depression in 1934 to raise money for the maintenance of the remaining 835-hectare national park.
It was extended to 18 holes in 1941 and leased to the private sector along with a caravan park zone in the early 1980s.
The golf course dropped in popularity during the 2010s and shortly after the on-site golf shop closed.
A government survey of 2,200 people in 2018 found only 11 per cent wanted the golf course maintained as a public activity.
As far as I am aware (read it) The National Park do not want it back as they are undermanned (*underpersoned) and the volunteers are stretched as it is.
There have been a few proposals floated and with the last proposal of 7 soccer pitches, with floodlights and traffic, things took a turn for the better.
Some of the mountain bike hating groups realised that our fuckwit government would very easily sell the land to private development, people pictured fancy apartments overshadowing their view of BNP, parking on their quiet streets, ruining their nature walks and cutting down of the rare Grey Box ect.... Nek minnit most are supporting MTB activities on the unused Golf Course. They are also wanting to maintain the fire break between the park and their housing.
There is currently a loop around it with a kiddies flow trail which I ride regularly as part of the BNP Adventure loop (MTB) but there are apparently proposals for flow lines (jumps) and a skills park. There is currently a MTB skills/trip provider set up shop in the old 'pro shop' doing bike hire and coffees. Hoping these proposals come to fruition, a few nice lines down the old course and a skills park to play on would be sensational.
Mr Ackland here has way more info on this matter but he's gone Secret Squirrel these days.
Public feedback appears overwhelmingly negative towards a proposal to build a seven-pitch soccer field on part of Australia's second oldest national park, although improved mountain biking and walking facilities get the nod.
www.abc.net.au
A new chapter is underway for Belair’s former golf course and country club. Learn more, plus how to have a say.
www.environment.sa.gov.au