Glover playground in the North

Lefevre Park / Nantu Wama (Park 6)

Did you know that Adelaide was a leader in providing playgrounds for children?

Glover Playground North Adelaide, City of Adelaide Archives, HP1384, date unknown

Glover Playground North Adelaide, City of Adelaide Archives, HP1387, date unknown

Glover Playground North Adelaide, City of Adelaide Archives, HP1575, circa 1928

Glover Playground North Adelaide, City of Adelaide Archives, HP1576, circa 1928

Glover Playground North Adelaide was funded by Lord Mayor Glover, designed by August Pelzer (City Gardener (1899-1934)) and opened by the Governor Sir Archibald Weigall on 14 December 1920. The advocacy of social reformer Catherine Helen Spence (1825-1910) led to the opening of the first Glover Playground in 1919 on South Terrace. Following the success of that playground, this playground on Lefevre Terrace was the second of five playgrounds the Council opened over the next ten years.

These early playgrounds show the increasing interest at the time in children’s welfare and the leading role which Adelaide took in providing facilities for children such as kindergartens and playgrounds. The playgrounds all included a shelter shed which housed a supervisor, funded by Council or the Education Department, to promote the health, welfare and safety of children.

The Kaurna people are the Traditional Owners and Custodians of the Adelaide Plains. Nantu Wama is a word from the Kaurna language, meaning “horse plain”. The language was last spoken on a daily basis in the 1860s, and has been revived in recent times.

City of Adelaide acknowledges the traditional Country of the Kaurna people of the Adelaide Plains and pays respect to Elders past and present. We recognise and respect their cultural heritage, beliefs and relationship with the land. We acknowledge that they are of continuing importance to the Kaurna people living today. We also extend that respect to other Aboriginal Language Groups and other First Nations.

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