Who Used Albert Park in 1993?
Despite efforts to denigrate the Park after the Grand Prix was announced, Parks Victoria (then Melbourne Parks and Waterways) recognised that Albert Park Reserve was one of the most popular metropolitan parks and the home of amateur sports in Victoria (Albert Park: Realising the Vision, Nov. 1994)

Parks Victoria now acknowledges, after claiming for a long time that it had no figures for Albert Park, that 1.5 million visitors used the Park annually prior to 1994.

Surveys of 8000 visitors conducted for the Committee of Management in March and April 1993 (a time of the year when the park is now most disrupted by the Grand Prix) and described by the then Melbourne Parks & Waterways (MP&W) as an accurate picture of the customers needs and expectations (MP&W, Draft Report on Shoulder Season Visitors to Albert Park, 1993). The report found that

• The park was widely used , drawing people from over 100 postcodes
• The majority of visitors did use the park on a regular basis.

Frequency	%
Daily	24
Weekly	40
Monthly	16
Other	20

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Why Did People Use Albert Park in 1993?
At least 70% of users rated as important experiences in 'resting and relaxing', 'exercise and physical fitness' and 'escaping daily social pressures' p.12)

The visitors survey confirmed that for most users of Albert Park the most popular activities were unstructured or passive forms of recreation requiring public open space and tranquillity, i.e. a haven.

Activity Undertaken in Albert Park	% of Visitors	Features cited as important for the enjoyment of Albert Park	% of Visitors
Walking	43	Trees	68
Walking the dog	18	Plenty of space	65
Picnicking	14	Lawn areas	63
Relaxing	22	Toilets	56
Socialising	20	Walking tracks	55
Nature study	9	Not crowded	55
Jogging	19	Appearance/vistas	55
Formal sports	19

Surveys indicated that most visitors were satisfied with the presentation and maintenance of the park. A clear majority (55%) said that they did not want to see more facilities in Albert Park. 27% wanted more trees and bushland, 34% believed commercial development was inappropriate.

The clearest subject of discontent was the lack of paths around the lake, a problem addressed before 1994.

Amongst the most desired additional features were a number of environmental ones which could not be delivered once the Grand Prix was to be held, namely more trees and bushland areas (by 27%), more playground (by 16%), more conservation and more shaded picnic areas (p.20).

In its last annual report before the announcement of the Grand Prix, Melbourne Water stated that 'The survey will result in a redirection of resources to provide services and facilities most needed by the community' (1992-93 Annual Report of Melbourne Water).

The results of the visitors survey were to play second fiddle to the interests of the Grand Prix.

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Park Users Since 1996
According to Parks Victoria, Albert Park Reserve has 3 million visitors each year, excluding those attending the Grand Prix. In addition, after one year the Melbourne Sports and Aquatic Centre has an estimated patronage of 1.6 million, but in 1998 there was "a dramatic downturn in attendances during the three weeks spanning the Grand Prix". Parks Victoria has provided no details of who are the 3 million visitors.

The survey of the residents of the City of Port Phillip (COPP) carried out by the consultant as part of the development of the municipality's open space strategy found that Albert Park Reserve is a very important piece of open space for residents in 6 of the 7 precincts.

COPP Precinct	% Residents using Albert Park	Reasons given for using Albert Park
Port Melbourne	20	Walking, picnics, exercise
South Melbourne	64	Walking, walking the dog,, jogging
Albert Park	69	Walking, walking the dog, cycling, space, close to home
Elwood	12	Walking, walking the dog
East St Kilda	24	Jogging, walking, active sports
St Kilda	31	Walking, walking the dog, cycling, picnics, close to home
St Kilda Corridor	100	Walk the dog, pleasant, close to home

A high percentage of residents use public open space, but as well an unusually high percentage also participate in sport (62% of males and 44% of females). There is clearly a demand for open space for sport and passive recreation.

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Interests of Park Users Overridden by the Requirements of the Grand Prix
The December 1993 Draft Strategy Plan, which was supposed to reflect community and user views, was abandoned to accommodate the Grand Prix. The result was in conflict with the expectations and interests of the park.

• The 64% of users in 1993 who used the park at least weekly are now denied free access for the race week· The 64% of users in 1993 who used the park at least weekly are now denied free access for the race week.
• These users and the 16% who used the park at least monthly now experience the environmental impact of 20 weeks of set-up and dismantling works.
• Active sports users have lost 7 grounds permanently and now face each year the loss of grounds for 10-18 weeks - and longer in one case - because of temporary infrastructure on their grounds and damage to grass surfaces.
• Recreational cyclists have a dangerous Lakeside Drive and weeks of disruption by works trucks and corporate facilities across cycle tracks.
• Passive recreational users, such picnickers and supervisors of young children, have got:
  • Lack of shaded picnic areas to accommodate run-offs, spectator mounds, and grandstands/corporate boxes and other Grand Prix structures
  • Loss of mature shade trees and a tree plantation program designed to accommodate race requirements
  • The sole significant children's playground, Middle Park Community Playground, now only 10 metres from the track and surrounded by GP structures and fencing from January to late March
  • Diminished natural aspects of the park

The Park could look a lot better - and all the year

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