Kingscote Multi Use Walking Path

     In June 2010 Kangaroo Island Council commissioned a Planning and Concept Report by Swanbury Penglase Architects for a number of shared paths around Kangaroo Island, including the Brownlow to Shoal Bay Multi Use Walking Trail along the foreshore.

     The route was considered in 6 stages and further plans and costings were carried out in 2013.

     These plans have been adapted over the years to accommodate proposed changes to development of the Wharf and Ozone Foreshore Precinct.

     Stage I of the project was from Brownlow township along the levee bank so that a new path was not created at this point.

Advance Kingscote Progress Association worked with Kangaroo Island Council to finalise all stages of the plans and work commenced on Stage II from Brownlow to the Kangaroo Island Yacht Club in 2015/2016.

     Funding for all stages was gained from the Department of Transport and Infrastructure (Open Space Strategy) and Kangaroo Island Council.

     Along the path are planned areas to be used for exercise equipment and public artwork.

     Stage III of the project travels from the Kangaroo Island Yacht Club to the Tidal Pool and the residents along the foreshore were given information about the route of the path which was designed to avoid native bush removal as much as possible.  The Ozone Foreshore and Wharf Precinct have been omitted from the project at this stage because of possible further commercial development in these areas.

     Stage IV of the plan was completed in 2018 with the path being constructed from the Kangaroo Island Health Service foreshore to the lookout at the entrance to Reeves Point.

     Stage V will hopefully be constructed in 2019 with an upgrade of the path from the entrance to Reeves Point to the Pioneer Cemetery and up to the flagstaff on Flagstaff Hill overlooking Shoal Bay.

     Stage VI will include a trail from Flagstaff Hill to the Shoal Bay Boat Ramp.

     Advance Kingscote and residents are amazed and thrilled at the usage of the path by the community and visitors on the existing walking trails and we look forward to more stages being completed.

Exercise equipment and future artwork along the

walking trail

Exercise Equipment

     Advance Kingscote approached the Country Women’s Association of Kangaroo Island for a donation toward the construction and installation of exercise equipment to be placed along the walking trail.  Advance Kingscote liaised with Kangaroo Island Council staff regarding the siting of some exercise equipment and future artwork along the trail.

     In 2015 the Country Women’s Association KI generously donated $1,000 toward the project.

     A further $4,000 was obtained from a KI Health Advisory Grant, following which the Kingscote Men's Shed was commissioned to make 3 pieces of exercise equipment.  The pieces were required to be constructed of durable material that needed very little ongoing maintenance and with no moving parts.  Advance Kingscote members and the Kangaroo Island Council staff installed the equipment at 3 locations along the walking trail from Brownlow to the Yacht Club.

Artwork

     Advance Kingscote was successful in obtaining a KI Community Partnership Grant of $2,000 for an artist to guide Kangaroo Island Community Education Kingscote students to prepare 3 designs for public artwork to be installed along the walking trail from Brownlow to the Yacht Club.

     Deb Sleeman was commissioned as the artist and she attended the senior class at Kingscote to facilitate the project.

     3 designs were completed from which small wooden sculptures were made.  The wooden sculptures were displayed at the KI Art Gallery, Murray Street, Kingscote and also in the front window of the Kangaroo Island Council seeking public comment.

The designs are yet to be built and future funding will be sought.