Sydney’s City of Fairfield recently celebrated the completion of its Bonnyrigg Town Centre Park. The 14 hectare park, located adjacent to the Bonnyrigg CBD, was previously an undeveloped flood prone area. The new park has improved drainage in the area while providing a vibrant, shared open space and recreation area.
To promote community ownership, the Bonnyrigg Town Centre Park project has taken shape over a number of years, with much input from local residents, businesses, schools and community groups. The main area of the new park has been landscaped using native species designed to provide a natural system of stormwater drainage.
A system of paths connects the main park area with a youth area, public transport and the Bonnyrigg plaza. There are also picnic facilities, playgrounds and community artworks throughout the park. Bonnyrigg is a multicultural area with over 50 per cent of its residents with non-English speaking backgrounds.
The park borders on many different religious places of worship, and artworks have been placed to indicate sites of contemplation throughout the park. Indigenous heritage of the area is reflected through the park’s plantlines project.
The park has a designated youth area, with a skate park, BMX track, basketball court and close proximity to local food outlets. The youth area was planned with the help of local school students, who designed the seating and tables.
Fairfield City Council has won various awards for this Town Centre Park, including a commendation in the 2005 IPWEA Engineering Excellence Awards.
The Bonnyrigg Town Centre Park was officially opened on 4 June 2005.
For further information contact Annette Stafford, Recreation Planner at Fairfield City Council, on (02) 9725 0882.
