The cycle and walk Anna Rennie Path provides a 3.5km loop around the Port Adelaide Inner Harbour incorporating a shared use path, views of the Port River and temporary landscaped pocket parks along the route.
The loop path provides opportunities for active lifestyles, a chance to relax, enjoyment from views of the river and the Port and hopefully some dolphin-watching too!
The Anna Rennie Path project has incorporated a number of additional upgrade works to areas around the Inner Harbour, including car park modifications, significant works to the surface and functionality of both Birkenhead and Jervois Bridges as well as the construction of two temporary landscaped park areas. The construction of the path was a joint project by Renewal SA and City of Port Adelaide Enfield Council.
The path’s new namesake, Ms Anna Rennie, was on the Port Adelaide council for 19 years, with five years as Mayor. An achievement that was relatively unheard of as a woman in that time. Being the first female councilor in South Australia came with many roadblocks, but this only further encouraged her to push forward with her desires to improve her much loved Port, especially for the women of the area.
Her unmatched compassion was undoubtedly nurtured in her time training as a nurse at the Adelaide Hospital, after which she became extremely active in the community. Amongst campaigning for improvements to the food ration schemes, equal pay for women and improvements to local roads and footpaths, she also opened her doors and gave up beds to disadvantaged families, some of whom had been evicted.
Ms Rennie was active in raising funds and establishing many valuable causes around the Port including the Port Adelaide School Band, the Port Archway facility to help alcoholics, the Elderly Citizen’s Club, various children’s playgrounds and most notably the establishment of the first Meals on Wheels kitchen in Australia.
As a woman who could not drive, Anna walked through her community regularly, ensuring she was always in contact with her constituents. And what better way to honour her memory than to rename the Port Adelaide Loop Path the ‘Annie Rennie Path’?
The first of two temporary pocket parks was completed in May 2014. The park was constructed as part of the Renewal SA Works program which provides certified training opportunities for local people. Eight participants graduated with a Certificate II in Civil Construction and gained valuable work experience. The park features a grassed area, native trees and a custom-made shelter from local company, SPUD. The second pocket park was completed in August 2014 and was also delivered as a part of the Renewal SA Works program, providing training for 16 local community members. The park, located on the north western corner of the path, includes a custom-made shelter, seating and drinking fountains for dogs and people.
The continuation of the loop path along both the Jervois and Birkenhead Bridges has required the change of traffic flows on both bridges to one lane each way to provide safe passage for all bridge users. The Birkenhead Bridge, Jenkins Street and Semaphore Road are a key part of the greater Greenways project which allows for safe bicycle-commuting between the city and the suburbs.
The loop path also includes an interpretive cultural trail which highlights some of the key historical elements of the harbour.
If you would like to follow the path around the Inner Harbour, please click here for a map.
Watch the video below to take a virtual tour.
A previously blank wall along the Semaphore Road section of the loop path has also been brightened up with a mural commissioned by City of Port Adelaide Enfield and supported by Renewal SA. The mural, which depicts a crocodile, was a joint project between renowned international street artist, Hitnes and local artist, Vans the Omega. For more street art in Port Adelaide, please see our Wonderwalls Outdoor Gallery.
