Wigley Reserve

Michelle and Kristy have said a lot about this playground/​park area so without repeating them too much, I’ll add that this is an Access For All park (meaning there’s a ramp for children in a chair).
This is an incredibly busy place so I recommend calling (08) 8229 9999 as hire options are available for the area and its facilities.
*Dogs allowed*
*Drinking fountain? (I couldn’t find one, but surely there is!)
*BBQ*
*Sheltered table/​chair area*

I grew up near here and then lived my next 10 odd years out of home just round the corner in the same suburb. So I have watched the changes of this space over time.
The most puzzling thing about Wigley Reserve is… how the hell do they keep the grass so green??? Yes I know there is a photo with sprinklers on but am surprised water is enough with all the festivities, activities and vehicles that go use this space.
As a kid for so many years the bi-​annual Bay To Birdwood run always left from Wigley Reserve, and we were there every time. Now it leaves from West Beach but doubt the cars would all fit on this reserve anymore. Even many years ago there were ones that had to park down the road once the reserve filled and that was when there was a lot more room there as there was a lot less development.
Although the photo’s look very appealing to have such a large space to play in don’t be fooled that you can do anything here. Unless you go really early or really late (and even then it can sometimes not work) this place is packed. When there are activites on or even just when it is a nice day for the beach so many people head down to the Bay and this area is always busy.
They have upgraded it heaps over the last few years with great new playground and exercise facilities, even has toilets now.

Wigley Reserve at Glenelg must suffer from the most mis-​pronounced name of any park or reserve in Adelaide. I don’t know why but many people insist on calling it Wrigley Reserve. There’s actually nothing wriggly about it! It was named after H.R. Wigley who was the Resident Magistrate of Adelaide and a resident of Glenelg back in the 1840’s.
Mis-​pronunciations aside, visit Wigley Reserve any morning around 6 in the morning and you’ll find the place a hive of activity. It’s a favoured venue for ‘bootcamp’ training aka people who like to be flogged by a trainer early in the mornings. There’s a collection of exercise equipment there that gets plenty of use at other times of the day as well.
Located at the end of Anzac Highway and on the corner of Adelphi Terrace, the reserve is on the shore of the Patawalonga right near the river’s mouth. The Pat as its known by locals can get a bit stinky at times but this doesn’t seem to deter the hive of activity that takes place on the reserve.
Over the years its been the venue for events like the start of the Walk to Cure Diabetes, Lance Armstrong’s Twitter Ride, and a gathering place for car enthusiasts to name but a few. It is after all a big space and is open for hire to all sorts of people for all sorts of community events.