Gladys Elphick, West Terrace
Walking trail Gladys Elphick Park / Narnungga
| Suitable for mobility aids | Short and easy walk | City west |
What to expect in Gladys Elphick Park / Narnungga
| Difficulty level | Easy |
| Length | Two loops. Large Loop approximately 1.5km Bitumen path, undulating with incline at the beginning. Small Loop approximately 600m. Bitumen and unsealed paths. |
| Walking surfaces | Bitumen and unsealed |
| Mobility suitability | Suits all prams Suits walking aids Wheelchair access |
| Dogs | Suitable for dog walking |
| Path width | Approximately 2 metres at narrowest |
| Possible hazards | Leaves and sticks on paths Uneven surfaces |
| Amenities | Shaded seating Drinking fountain Toilets Reflection areas |
| Parking | Car park entry from Glover Avenue and Port Road |
History
Narnungga translates to ‘native pine place’ in Kaurna, the traditional owners of the land. This was likely adopted due to the quantity of native pine in this area. This park honours the life and work of Gladys Elphick (1904–1988).
Aunty Gladys was a prominent Kaurna Elder and founding president of the Council of Aboriginal Women of South Australia (1964–1973) and known as a strong advocate for Kaurna women. She worked to raise the status of Aboriginal people in the community. She was appointed MBE (The Most Excellent Order of the British Empire) in 1971 for services to the Aboriginal people. In 1984, she was named ‘SA Aboriginal of the Year’. This park evolved from Colonel William Light’s 1837 plan of a city surrounded by Park Lands.
In 2006, the State Government announced the closure of the former SA Water Depot which occupied the portion of Park 25 to the west of the rail lines; the reintegration of the site back into the Park Lands was completed in 2015. This was symbolically important because it reinstated the continuity of Adelaide’s ring of Park Lands on the western side of the city.