Park adds spark to city heart

An iconic urban park in Penrith’s City Centre is a step closer with widespread community consultation underway to reflect the Penrith community’s aspirations in the final design.

Council will invest $12 million in the city transforming development which will occupy a 7,500sqm site on the corner of Henry and Station Streets.

Once completed, the park will provide workers, visitors and residents with a large open refuge that will include majority green space. The concept for City Park includes mature trees, mass plantings, water play for children, an amenities building and public art.

Penrith Mayor, Ross Fowler OAM said it will revitalise the city centre and act as a catalyst for investment in Penrith.

“Research shows that a central urban green retreat and events space is a feature in successful cities around the world,” Cr Fowler said.

“Penrith’s City Park will help revitalise our city centre by encouraging more people to live, work and visit the heart of Penrith and inviting investment. We know that public spaces like this not only activate cities, day and night, they provide new community and economic opportunities.”

When viewed alongside other major projects across the City such as Regatta Park, North South Rail and the Western Sydney Aerotropolis – with its promise of jobs close to home – City Park will transform Penrith into the most liveable city in Western Sydney.

A public tender has now been sought for the project, but before work begins, Council is inviting the community to have their say in shaping the space.

The City Park development marks the culmination of more than a decade of community consultation.

“We’re coming back to the community now to make sure we create a space that will meet their needs now, and into the future,” Cr Fowler said.

The idea for a ‘city heart’ emerged as a key priority during consultation with a wide range of stakeholders to prepare Penrith Progression A Plan for Action in 2014.

“We’re confident City Park will spark the local economy and answer residents’ calls for a contemporary public space in the heart of our city.”

You can help inform the design of City Park through Council’s online ‘Have Your Say’ portal at penrithcity.nsw.gov.au

Submissions are open from 24 October to 13 December 2019.

Image: Council is calling on the community to help shape City Park – a green space in the heart of Penrith that will revitalise the city centre and reenergise the local economy.