Oaklands Park is a southern suburb of Adelaide, South Australia in the City of Marion. The Marion Shopping Centre is a major feature of the suburb.
History
On 14 December 1906, Oaklands was bought by Thomas Currie Tait for £15,000.
In 1923 Tait offered 'The Park' , was secured by T.M Burke Pty Ltd, for £23,000, for building allotments.
The portion of Oaklands which became the site of the Warradale Army Camp in both World Wars, was acquired from the State on 26 July 1945 for £24,020. The Barracks comprise 56 acres (230,000 m2) bounded on the north by Oaklands Road and on the west by Morphett Road. In 1940 the area was occupied by 9 Infantry Brigade as a mobilization centre and brigade camp and on 10 February 1942 the site was taken over under National Security Regulations.
In 1952 when a number of Oaklands Estate gum-trees were being uprooted to make way for Housing Trust homes a local group formed the Oaklands Estate Residents' Association in the hope of preserving some of the remaining trees. In a triangle bounded by Oaklands Road, Sturt River and the Marino (now the Seaford) railway line, they volunteered to plant and care for 1,200 native street trees including a shrubbery around Marion Railway Station. They also helped to initiate the gazetting of a sizeable portion of land adjacent to Sturt River for recreational use. The Council has now taken responsibility for that area.
Oaklands Park Post Office opened on 10 February 1969.
In 1971 the South Australian Government set aside 7 ha (16¼ acres) of land in Oaklands Park for its Road Safety Centre and on 17 October 1972 the Centre was officially opened. After the Open Day on 22 October the Centre began operating complete with traffic lights and road signs.
Amenities
Oaklands Park is best known as the location of the Westfield Marion shopping centre, the largest shopping complex in Adelaide. It includes over 300 speciality stores and includes a bowling alley, cinema, several department and discount stores, two super markets and a food court.
The Marion Cultural Centre is also adjacent the Marion Shopping Centre that contains an Art Gallery, Café, Library and a Theatre. Events are held there all through the year with Art Exhibits, Theatre Performances and Blue Light Disco’s being held.
Transport
The Seaford railway line travels through the suburb and stops at Oaklands railway station. The station has been redeveloped as a transport exchange by the South Australian Government and Marion Council to improve access to surrounding facilities.
There is a bus interchange at the Westfield Marion with connections to Adelaide city, Flinders University, Hallett Cove, Noarlunga Centre and Port Adelaide.