Situated in the heart of a fast-growing and densely populated area, Dharaggang Park has the local community and native wildlife at its heart. The site is bound by Mt Olympus Drive to the north and north-west and Guess Avenue to the west, the 3577-square-metre site was formerly owned by the NSW Government and used for service delivery. Becoming surplus to requirements, it was sold to Bayside Council in March 2022.

Sydney-based landscape architecture studio CONTEXT was engaged by Bayside Council to consult with the local community and design a park tailored to their needs.

Mayor of Bayside Council, Bill Saravinovski comments: “The vibrant recreational park is a welcome addition to Wolli Creek that gives residents access to open space, and highlights the significant Aboriginal heritage around Wolli Creek.”

Featuring open grassed areas as well as shaded spaces for picnicking and play, a multi-purpose active space with sports surfacing and basketball hoops, new seating and lighting as well as trees and mass planting, the site has been transformed into a space that people of all ages and abilities can enjoy. Different areas within the park are defined with level changes, raised seating walls, plant terraces and swales – each working to improve access and useability of the park.

In an area undergoing rapid growth and development, CONTEXT have focussed on repairing the landscape and establishing a strong sense of identity and connection in the community.

CONTEXT Director Hamish Dounan says: “We are committed to inspiring local communities to become stewards of their natural environments, and as part of this, native species have been strategically planted to suit the varying microclimates and uses within the park. Creating habitats for local wildlife, this will also encourage biodiversity in the local area,” says Dounan.

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Native trees planted – including Sydney Red Gums, Swamp Paperbark and Honey Myrtle – work together to increase the tree canopy cover which mitigates the urban heat island effect. As a site prone to water inundation and retention, Water Sensitive Urban Design principles have also been followed, with water-loving plants such as sedges and grasses. In the playground area, planting has been selected to encourage nature play, with species including Native Violet, Flax Lily and Mat Rush.

The materiality and colour palette emphasises natural and recycled materials such as wood, sandstone and refurbished bricks. Meanwhile, new wayfinding signage, custom play elements and bespoke shelters add to the park’s sense of identity.

The focus on connecting to Country has seen the design team closely engage with a local First Nations Working Group. Through this, the park’s new name of ‘Dharaggang,’ meaning ‘river’ in the Dharawal language, was chosen. This engagement also led to the commission of a new mural designed by renowned Aboriginal public art team, Maddison Gibbs and Jason Wing. Forming the backdrop of the active play zone at the northern boundary of the park, the artwork – titled ‘Reflection’ – has seen the artists respond to stories by Aunty Barb Simms that explore how the river provides, the river transports and the river is time, highlighting the significant Aboriginal heritage around Wolli Creek.

Minister for Lands and Property and Member for Rockdale Steve Kamper adds that “this is a great example of repurposing an unused NSW government-owned site into vital green space that will serve this wonderful community. Wolli Creek is one of the fastest growing communities in Sydney, and it is important that any increase in residential development is supported with quality public open spaces such as this. I thank the whole project team for their outstanding collaboration in delivering this park for the people of Wolli Creek.”

CONTEXT
context.net.au

Photography
Simon Wood

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