Wilberforce Walk Upgrade
Design Feature
Type of project
Greenway / Active Travel Link / Local Place Activation
State
South Australia
Location
Urban
Wilberforce Walk is a quiet, tree-lined laneway that connects two vibrant local neighbourhoods in the City of Unley – Unley and Parkside. Though already valued by residents as a peaceful shortcut for walking, it lacked infrastructure and design quality to support safe, inclusive, and sustained active travel.
In 2021, the City of Unley undertook a community-led upgrade to transform Wilberforce Walk from an underutilised path into a welcoming, green corridor. The project aimed to improve the comfort and usability of the route for both walkers and people riding bikes – particularly children travelling to nearby schools and families accessing local parks and play spaces.
The upgraded design reflects a people-first philosophy. It prioritises safety, shade, rest points, and gentle visual cues that encourage walking and bike riding while maintaining the character of the neighbourhood. Community input helped shape the final design, which now balances function and charm in equal measure.
The project is aligned with Unley’s broader commitment to healthy, connected, and climate-resilient neighbourhoods as set out in its Walking and Cycling Plan, Public Health Plan, and Tree Strategy.
In 2021, the City of Unley undertook a community-led upgrade to transform Wilberforce Walk from an underutilised path into a welcoming, green corridor. The project aimed to improve the comfort and usability of the route for both walkers and people riding bikes – particularly children travelling to nearby schools and families accessing local parks and play spaces.
The upgraded design reflects a people-first philosophy. It prioritises safety, shade, rest points, and gentle visual cues that encourage walking and bike riding while maintaining the character of the neighbourhood. Community input helped shape the final design, which now balances function and charm in equal measure.
The project is aligned with Unley’s broader commitment to healthy, connected, and climate-resilient neighbourhoods as set out in its Walking and Cycling Plan, Public Health Plan, and Tree Strategy.
Features include:
- Upgraded shared-use path for walking and bike riding
- New seating, native landscaping and path lighting
- Green screen planting along rear fences
- Decorative community art bollards
- Integrated access to local schools and parks
Project Team
City of Unley (project lead) Community Stakeholders (co-design input) Landscape Architects and Civil Contractors (implementation) Green Adelaide (support partner)
Project Cost
$130,000 (approx.)
Health value
- Supports active travel to local destinations including schools, parks, and main streets
- Provides a safe, shaded and inviting route for everyday walking and bike riding
- Encourages incidental movement for all ages and abilities
- Reduces exposure to traffic stress and vehicle emissions
- Promotes mental wellbeing through nature, artwork, and calm streetscape
Economic value
- Cost-effective way to activate underutilised infrastructureSupports foot traffic to local businesses and services
- Adds value to adjacent properties through enhanced amenity
- Encourages school travel mode shift, reducing congestion at peak times
- Leverages in-kind contributions from the community and partners
Environmental value
- Improves biodiversity and green cover with locally endemic plantings
- Reduces reliance on car trips for local journeys
- Helps manage heat and runoff through landscaping
- Enhances habitat corridors and microclimates in a dense urban context
- Quiet, car-free space contributes to lower noise pollution
Social value
- Co-design process empowered local residents to shape the space
- Playful bollards and green walls add a sense of identity and local pride
- Seating and lighting create a welcoming place to pause and connect
- Supports safe, independent movement for children and older adults
- Encourages community ownership and stewardship of shared space
Use value
- Increased use by walkers, families and people riding to school
- Safer and more accessible movement across neighbourhoods
- Enhanced perception of safety and comfort
- Strong community feedback and local satisfaction
- Demonstrates how small-scale upgrades can deliver outsized public value
Timeline
Design consultation: 2021
Construction completed: 2023
Monitoring and review: Ongoing
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