Inclusive Design: Sydney Park
Introduction
Currently, Sydney Park has areas of accessibility, however, Significant regions such as the wetlands, Viewing Decks, pathways, and Entryways from the car park are inaccessible. The redesign will align with council policy to ensure all aspects are accessible. The redevelopment is to update facilities to meet guidelines and ensure greater inclusivity for the inner west community.
Vision
Sydney Park is a sanctuary for fauna and flora having a vast landscape of natural green it is the perfect place to absorb the nature of natural Australia. Sydney Park has a growing urban community around it within the city south and Green Square, making it fully open to anyone within the wider community of Sydney.
Within my proposal, I plan to acknowledge the need for greater accessibility to public green spaces for people with disabilities. I will ensure the natural aspects of this 41.6-hectare park will stay protected while giving people with all kinds of disabilities access to the more natural aspects of Sydney Park.
Sydney Park
Rich Heritage
History of Sydney Park
The space now known as Sydney Park was once a kangaroo hunting ground for the Gadigal and Wangal people of the Eora nation. It was granted to Elizabeth Needman in 1796, who was a publican and convict. The land was then passed down to Gregory, John Blaxland, and then Daniel Cooper. Daniel Cooper leased the land to brickmakers, which Bedford Brickworks used until the 1940s. The large resources of clay were perfect for brickmaking and alluvial soils were good for gardens, this led to the establishment of brick pottery and tile works within the area. It later became a municipal waste depot. Then ownership of the Sydney Park site landed in the hands of the South Sydney Council in 1991, Being later converted into a public open space.
Sydney Parks Features
The large variety of facilities such as viewing decks, benches and seats are placed in open locations across Sydney Park. This allows for a view across Sydney Park's waterways, landscapes and the city. These landscapes and waterways are made up of lush grass, rolling hills, winding pathways and natural wetlands. The different water landscapes attract a variety of animals.
Sydney Park is very dog friendly having many locations for dog access. There is a large playground that kids can access having equipment that stimulates senses such as touch, hearing and sight. Public cafes, barbecues and bathrooms, are all available within the park.
Public Barbecues
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Available to all people
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Placed across Sydney Park
Public toilets
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Disability-accessible toilets with additional safety features for people with varying disabilities
Shaded areas
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Trees covering a large variety of the park
Dog off-leash
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Large areas within Sydney Park with off-leash access
Children Playground
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Variety of equipment, allowing access to children of all ages
Public Skate Park
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Closes 9 pm
Alan Davison Oval
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Used for sports and recreational activities
Wet Lands
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Houses a variety of fauna and flora
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Houses benches, seating and viewing point to look out upon the wetlands
Public art and Memorial spaces
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The Trail art exhibition and SPAIDS memorial
Public cafe kiosk
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Selection of food and drinks available for anyone to buy
On-Site Parking Locations
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Barwon park road
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Sydney Park road
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Euston Park road
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Campbell street
Information on a More Inclusive Sydney Park
Community Engagment
A survey has been conducted to engage with the community giving an idea of issues faced concerning accessibility within Sydney Park. The information The gathered information is to identify the need for changes within Sydney Park's existing features and the kinds of disabilities that faced issues when entering and accessing Sydney Park features
Through the engagement with the community, the areas of change that have been identified are lack of information and physical obstacles. What people want are pathing indicators, and access to more features and facilities within Sydney Park. What locations people want better access to are wetlands and nature-filled pathways. These are all features of change that must be considered within the inclusive redesign of Sydney Park.