PARK VALUES VERSUS MOTOR RACING IN ALBERT PARK

• A Nineteenth Century View of Public Parkland
• A 1950s View
• A 1960s View
• A 1980s View
• 1990s View of Public Parkland
• The New Management of Albert Park 1995

A Nineteenth Century View of Public Parkland

Frederick Olmsted the first superintendent and architect of New York's Central Park defined an ideal park in 1871:

"We want a ground to which people may easily go after their day's work is done, and where they may stroll for an hour, seeing, hearing and feeling nothing of the bustle and jar of the streets, where they shall in effect, find the city put far away from them. We want the greatest possible contrast with streets and the shops. Practically, what we want is a simple broad open space of clean greensward, with sufficient play of surface and a sufficient number of trees about it to supply a variety of light and shade, this we want as a central feature" (R Fogglesong, Planning the Capitalist City, 1986, p.98)

A 1950s View

Melbourne Herald Sun 1958

"Car racing has its place among modern spectator sports. But it belongs on its own speed tracks - and in areas where its din is not likely to be a public nuisance. The financial problems of park trustees should not be solved by undermining the principle of free parks." (Herald Sun 5/11/58)

A 1960s View

Gillard Report on Albert Park 1961

"the historical role of public parklands is to afford unrestricted access to persons who care to indulge in passive recreation of wandering through picturesque surroundings." (p.47)

"The committee must, therefore attempt to present a due medium between the claims of those wishing to usurp the use of this valuable site for highly organized profit-making business out of sport utility, against those people who find pleasure in walking through the public open space or indulge in sporting recreation in a not so highly organised fashion." (p.47)

"unless buildings are reasonably ancillary to the proper enjoyment of the areas as a public park, in law these erections should not be permitted," (p.105)

A 1980s View

Jeff Kennett on Parkland 1985

"The gardens and parklands of Melbourne belong to the people of the State. The park lands of the city are something the politicians have inherited to hold in trust so that they can be passed on to future generations" (Victorian Parliamentary Debates,1 October 1985)

William Alex, President, Frederick Law Olmstead Association

"Surely there is a proper place for a racing car speedway other than one of New York City's fine country parks. They are not free land for the taking of those temporarily in public office." (New York Times, 12 December 1985)

1990s View of Public Parkland

Albert Park - The Vision: Leading Melbourne's Parklands into the Next Century, 1991 (Department of Conservation and Environment, Melbourne Water, Open Space 2000).

"In the past, some of these large events have been planned without due consideration to the needs of other park users and the maintenance and management requirements of the Park... Major community recreational events such as FOX-FM Skyshow and speedboat racing can generate excessive noise, heavy traffic volumes, parking and rubbish problems, anti~social behaviour and disturb wildlife. The staging of these events in the future must be balanced against their impact on the Park, other users and the adjoining community." (p.47)

"Recreational uses which require exclusive occupancy or permanently restrict community use of an area or facility area are an inappropriate use of a major public park like Albert Park and should not be considered in any future development." (p.46)

"Albert Park has a tremendous potential to offer a tranquil area of escape a unique place of peace and relaxation." (p.92)

Albert Park: Draft Strategy Plan, 1993

"The principal aim of the Strategy Plan is to improve the quality of the Park for people, without altering its fundamental nature which is so beloved of the people of Melbourne" (p.2)

"increasingly the park is regarded by many City and local office workers, visiting tourists and by the increasing number of inner city residents as their most convenient 'local' park for golf, jogging, walking, indoor sporting activities and simply relaxing" (p.5)

David Yenken, President, Australian Conservation Foundation 1994

"Formula One racing is an entirely alien activity for a parkland. Parks are the green lungs of the city, refuges from the noise, pollution and dangers of our machine world, places for play and recreation, places for reserved contact with nature and natural cycles."

"The destruction of park values needed to create the track is an offence."

"Parks have to be stoutly defended. They are always under threat because they are undeveloped: someone always has a greedy eye on some development potential." (letter to The Age 24 November 1994)

The New Management of Albert Park 1995

Jeff Floyd, Chief Executive, Melbourne Parks and Waterways

'"This is the largest construction project ever in an Australian park" Mr Floyd said' (Herald Sun 6 January 1995)

"The parks business is a multi-billion dollar industry and to ensure that we continue to provide a world standard product it is imperative that we integrate best practice systems into our business" Media Release 14 January 1995)

'Mr Floyd said there would be some inconvenience for other sporting clubs during the Grand Prix, "But just like the Fox FM Sky Show, which takes over for one night a year, the others will have to make allowances for another big annual event" Mr Floyd said.' (Herald Sun 19 March 1994)

Who has the Vision? Who Wants the MP&W Vision for Albert Park?

Save Albert Park is a movement of people who care for parks and have been forced to defend Albert Park against politicians and promoters who see parks as sites for business and profit.

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