Thorndon Park Reserve

Thorndon Park Reserve is a public park in the Adelaide suburb of Paradise, South Australia. It was originally the site of the Thorndon Park reservoir, which was completed in 1860.[1] The reserve became accessible to the public for recreational use in 1986.[citation needed] It was redesigned in the 2000s[citation needed] and as of 2015 improvement works are ongoing.[2][3]

The reserve has picnic areas, barbecues, play equipment for children, large grassy areas, wheelchair-friendly walking paths, an amphitheatre, waterways and a terraced series of ponds and wetlands which support diverse native flora and fauna.[4] In 2014, the prospect of establishing a community orchard within the Thorndon Park Reserve was considered.[5] Dogs are not permitted in the park.[6]

## Thorndon Park reservoir[edit]

Dam

Thorndon Park Reservoir

Thorndon Park Reservoir, 1899

Coordinates| 34°52′28″S 138°41′18″E﻿ / ﻿34.87444°S 138.68833°E﻿ / -34.87444; 138.68833
Status| Drained and converted to a park
Construction began| 1857
Opening date| 1860
Demolition date| 1986
Dam and spillways
Type of dam| earth
Height| 42 feet (13 m)[1]
Width (crest)| 5 feet (1.5 m)
Width (base)| 10 feet (3.0 m)
Reservoir
Total capacity| 142,000,000 imperial gallons (650 Ml)
Surface area| 26.5 acres (10.7 ha)[1]
Maximum water depth| 40 feet (12 m)

The Thorndon Park reservoir was the first reservoir built to supply the township of Adelaide.[7] It was under construction between 1857[8] and 1859[1] and was completed in 1860. At full capacity, the reservoir held 142,000,000 imperial gallons (650 Ml) of water.[9][8]

In 1950 the tiny African freshwater jellyfish Craspedacusta sowerbii was found in the reservoir.[10]

Panorama of Thorndon Park Reservoir

## See also[edit]

* List of Adelaide parks and gardens
* List of reservoirs and dams in Australia

## References[edit]

1. ^ a b c d "THE RESERVOIR AT THORNDON PARK". South Australian Register. 18 April 1859. p. 2. Retrieved 7 February 2016.
2. ^ Council, Campbelltown City, Thorndon Park Master Plan, Campbelltown City Council, retrieved 7 February 2016
3. ^ Abbracciavento, Daniela (14 August 2014). "Public green light for multi-million dollar Thorndon Park plan". The Daily Telegraph. Retrieved 7 February 2016.
4. ^ "Campbelltown City Council -". www.campbelltown.sa.gov.au. Retrieved 7 February 2016.
5. ^ "Forget the swings, this local park has fresh fruit". NewsComAu. Retrieved 7 February 2016.
6. ^ "Thorndon Park Reserve | Open Space & Shade". Play and Go. Retrieved 7 February 2016.
7. ^ "ADELAIDE'S OLDEST RESERVOIR IN LOW STATE". The Register News-Pictorial. 26 June 1930. p. 12. Retrieved 7 February 2016.
8. ^ a b "NOMENCLATURE OF SOUTH AUSTRALIA. NAMES AND THEIR ORIGIN. XXIV.—AN ALPHABETICAL REVIEW. Adelaide's First Reservoir". The Register. 22 July 1908. p. 5. Retrieved 7 February 2016.
9. ^ "RESERVOIR FULL". News. 23 August 1939. p. 7. Retrieved 7 February 2016.
10. ^ "Tiny African jellyfish in S.A. reservoir". The Mail. 11 March 1950. p. 3. Retrieved 7 February 2016.

* v
* t
* e

Reservoirs in South Australia

Adelaide area|

* Barossa
* Clarendon
* Happy Valley
* Hope Valley
* Kangaroo Creek
* Little Para
* Millbrook
* Mount Bold
* Myponga
* South Para
* Thorndon Park
* Warren

Regional South Australia|

* Aroona Dam
* Baroota
* Beetaloo
* Bundaleer
* Blue Lake
* Hindmarsh Valley
* Middle River
* Tod

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