A stunning design has been unveiled for Bank Street Park, transforming land fenced off from the community for decades into a green and accessible waterfront park against the backdrop of the iconic ANZAC Bridge in Pyrmont.
Accessibility to the water and to Sydney CBD is a key feature of Bank Street Park. Plans include a new cycleway and walkways to and from the area, and new and improved access to Blackwattle Bay for recreational water users such as kayakers and other paddle craft.
The park design features a foreshore promenade, the next piece in the puzzle towards completing a 15km continuous harbourside walk between Woolloomooloo and Rozelle Bay, which will be one of Australia’s longest harbourfront walkways and a ‘must see’ attraction in Sydney.
Providing more than 1ha of open space, the new park was designed by landscape architect OCULUS with Collins + Turner, Greenshoot Consulting and Greenaway Architects and marks a significant step towards the area’s redevelopment.
Building the park first means people can start enjoying recreational benefits before new homes and jobs are created in the surrounding area.
Key features of the new design include:
- recreational facilities including a multipurpose court, playground and fitness stations
- a new community building to house a new community space, café and marina office
- water access and storage for dragon boats and personal paddle craft including a new accessible public pontoon
- harbourside promenade and increased accessibility to the water with new footpaths and cycleways
- public art that honours the park’s unique connection to the ANZAC Bridge and the significant contributions of First Nations servicemen and servicewomen
- adaptive reuse of buildings along Bank Street.
The local community and key stakeholders have been integral in informing the park’s design, and the wider community is now encouraged to have their say.
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Minister for Lands and Property, Steve Kamper said:
“We are excited to unveil this iconic waterfront park, that will be loved by the community and a space that can be enjoyed by all on Sydney’s stunning harbour.
“I am proud to reveal the design of Bank Street Park today, which involved close collaboration with First Nations representatives, the Metropolitan Local Aboriginal Land Council, and Black Diggers, which is of special significance given its connection to the ANZAC Bridge.
“Bank Street Park will be the first piece in the wider development of Blackwattle Bay, which will see the current Fish Market site transformed into new homes, retail and public space.”
“We heard from the community they would like to see some of the buildings retained and we have engaged local architects to assist in the adaptive reuse of one building for public amenities and provide an ‘Interpretation Garden’ using the existing foundations of another building.”
Member for Sydney, Alex Greenwich said:
“The community has been actively involved in shaping the park’s features and activities, and we will continue to bring them on the journey as the park is brought to life.
“Once complete, Bank Street Park will ensure Sydney Harbour is more accessible for leisure activities, including private paddle craft, walking and cycling. The community will be able to kayak or paddleboard right up to the park, where they can enjoy a coffee from the café and walk along the foreshore before visiting the new Sydney Fish Market.”
