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Hope Valley Reservoir in Adelaide’s north eastern suburbs will open to the public for the first time in its 150-year history in time for the summer school holidays.

A range of land-based recreational activities such as walking, cycling and picnicking will be available from Sunday 13th December with planning underway for a community event to celebrate the occasion.

Constructed in 1873 with a water capacity of 2.9 billion litres and currently the city’s oldest reservoir still in use, Hope Valley is the fifth South Australian reservoir reserve to open for expanded recreational access under the current South AustralianGovernment.

South Australian Minister for Environment and Water David Speirs notes “we have engaged with Hope Valley residents and the local Community Reference Group throughout the past year about what they wanted to see, and it’s exciting that within just a matter of weeks this beautiful open space will be open for everyone to enjoy.

“Construction works are continuing as we speak at Hope Valley, to create a number of picnic spaces and a network of walking and cycling trails throughout the reserve linking to the existing adjacent O-Bahn Bikeway, with fitness equipment and a nature play area to also be built early next year.

“This will be a natural space for everyone to explore in the heart of suburban Adelaide, and I can’t wait to see people head to Hope Valley and enjoy the natural space for the first time in almost 150 years.”

Member for Newland Richard Harvey said Hope Valley Reservoir will offer wonderful recreation and relaxation opportunities to visitors for generations to come adding “the opening of Hope Valley is something residents have been looking forward to for decades and for them to finally have an opening date is very exciting.

“Some of the best views on offer this summer will be from atop the dam wall, and visitors will get the chance to either walk, run or cycle across the wall’s entire 800 metre length or pack the binoculars and watch the local birdlife from the newly-constructed shelters.

“After 147 years, the possibilities of this under-utilised site will finally be realised, and I know many in the community will be very excited to get access to Hope Valley Reservoir Reserve in time for the school holidays.”

Myponga Reservoir Reserve is open for land-based recreational activities and shoreline fishing is also available with a permit. On-water access for kayaking will be introduced in early to mid-2021.

Bundaleer, South Para and Warren reservoir reserves are open for fishing, kayaking, walking, and cycling.

Happy Valley Reservoir Reserve will offer kayaking, fishing, walking and cycling opportunities by the end of next year.

More information about recreational access at South Australian reservoir reserves is available at www.reservoirs.sa.gov.au

Images: Hope Valley Reservoir concept plans

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