Jack Watkins Reserve facts for kids

Jack Watkins Reserve is a special park located in Kilburn, South Australia. This suburb is in South Australia, Australia. The park is right next to the old Islington Railway Workshops. It was named after a very important person, Jack Watkins.

Jack Watkins was a union organiser. He worked hard to help people and was also the president of The Asbestos Diseases Society of South Australia. He successfully pushed to remove dangerous asbestos and other harmful materials from the railway site and nearby properties. The park opened in August 2003. It was created to honor the many railway workers who became sick from asbestos-related diseases after working at the railway yard.

About Jack Watkins Reserve

Jack Watkins Reserve is a place for both remembrance and recreation. It helps people remember the past. It also offers a fun space for families and pets. The park shows how important it is to keep workplaces safe.

What Can You Find in the Park?

The park has several interesting features for visitors. It combines a memorial area with places for fun activities. This makes it a unique community space.

The Memorial Walkway

A special memorial walkway leads through the park. It ends at a central memorial with four pillars. These pillars have words carved into them: Tough Times, Strength, mates, and ratbags. This area helps people remember the workers who suffered.

Fun for Everyone

Besides the memorial, Jack Watkins Reserve has a playground for kids. There are also colorful public murals to enjoy. Families can use the barbecue facilities for picnics. The park also includes a special area for dogs, called a dog park.

Remembering the Victims

Each year, a special memorial service is held at the park. This service takes place on November 24th. It is a time to honor all the people who have been affected by asbestos-related diseases. This yearly event helps keep their memory alive.

Park Safety and Reopening

In November 2016, the park was temporarily closed. This happened after some pieces of asbestos were found. Officials closed the park to make sure everyone stayed safe. The mayor of Port Adelaide Enfield, Gary Johanson, spoke about the discovery.

The park was then carefully cleaned to remove all the asbestos. This process is called decontamination. After being made safe, the park was reopened to the public. A full investigation into how the asbestos appeared is still ongoing.