Upgrades to respond to safety concerns in the Braddon section of Haig Park will start early this month while consultation has also begun on a master plan to guide future improvements to the park, Economic Development Director-General David Dawes said today.
“These upgrades respond to safety concerns in the park by providing a straight footpath with improved visibility through the park,” Mr Dawes said.
“Wider paths, increased lighting and line of sight through the park will improve safety and increase the number of people using the park.
“While these safety upgrades will require the removal of three of Haig Park’s more than 7000 trees, we will be planting four more in other parts of the park.”
The shared paths that link the areas of Braddon either side of the park will be widened and 26 new street lights will be installed. Trees will be no closer than two metres to the paths, and the tree canopy will be trimmed to increase visibility.
There will also be new park seating and picnic tables at the park entry points at Mort Street, Henty Street and Lonsdale Street.
Master plan to guide long-term park improvements
While the current upgrades are necessary to ensure the safe use of the park in the immediate future the government wants to hear from the community about how it would like to use the park in the longer term.
The master plan will be used to guide decisions on future improvements to the park that will allow Canberrans to get the best use out of this important public asset.
“As the bush capital, Canberra is known for its large green spaces and beautiful parks,” Mr Dawes said.
“Haig Park is one of these, in the heart of our city centre, but is currently underused and doesn’t necessarily meet the needs of the Canberra community.
“The ACT Government wants to hear how the community would like to use Haig Park so that it can prepare a master plan that sets out a long-term vision and proposes short-term actions to make the park more inviting and usable, while maintaining and promoting its heritage value.”
The master plan will also identify different ‘character areas’ within the park. For example, the Turner side is currently used more as a dog-walking space while the Braddon area is used as a thoroughfare by people walking to Lonsdale Street.
To share your ideas for Haig Park visit www.yoursay.act.gov.au/haigpark
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