As our cities and suburbs grow to match the needs of a growing population, local councils are constantly seeking opportunities to create open spaces to honour humanity’s need to connect with nature and each other for our mental, emotional, and physical well-being.
So, it was no surprise to the City of Charles Sturt when it learned in 2020 that the residents of heavily urbanised Albert Park and Hendon wanted a dedicated natural space to gather for relaxation, play, and exercise. Fast forward a few years, and Albert Park now has a communal, accessible green space on Spad Street, appropriately called Spad Street Reserve.
Having only been opened a few weeks ago, it’s already a hub of activity, luring the residents of Albert Park and Hendon out of their homes to engage with nature and each other while enjoying the inclusive playground equipment. Designed for a variety of ages and abilities, the playground features Flow Bars (an innovative fusion of art and play), seating, and shaded rest areas nestled amid the trees and vegetation planted in consultation with First Nations Elders by Aboriginal Urban Design.
After years of community consultation, planning and construction, Spad Street Reserve was officially opened on August 17th by City of Charles Sturt Mayor Angela Evans, Senator Karen Grogan, Uncle Moogy and Cr Nicole Mazeika.
Mayor Angela Evans shared her thoughts on the successful delivery of this vital neighbourhood project, saying, “We are so proud to see the local community enjoying this wonderful new green space. It’s quickly become the place for play, get-togethers and connection. The project would not have been possible without all three tiers of government working together – listening and responding to feedback from the local community.”
Local community member Danny Negruk knows Albert Park probably better than most, having spent his childhood playing on its streets, “…from 1990 til 2020, my grandparents lived at Number 9 Spad Street. My mother and I lived on Gordon Street. I spent the majority of my childhood playing and riding bikes with all of the children from nearby streets and also kids who lived in the housing trust homes, which have now made way for the new reserve and updated housing nearby.”
Now, as a father of two young sons, he and his family can now move that playtime from their private gardens and local streets into the communal, safe, nature-infused Spad Street Reserve. Danny shared how it’s improved his family’s daily experience, saying “Spad Street Reserve is a place where my family and I come to play. The open lawn area is great for ball games and a chance for the kids to run around and burn off all the extra energy their grandmother gives them in treats.
“The loop path is a safe and easy-to-monitor environment in which kids can learn to ride, skate, and scoot. The loop path also seems to be a favourite with dog walkers and elderly residents, with the benches and water fountains allowing for rest and rehydrate along the way”.
While the plantings along the path are new and spread apart, they’ll soon flourish into beautiful bushes, with the trees growing tall and wide enough to provide a comforting, cool, canopy for park dwellers and native fauna. In the meantime, the play equipment, sculptures, and trees along the surrounding streets provide plenty of visual splendour for the eyes to rest upon.
According to Danny, Spad Street Reserve is already bringing people together. “Since the reserve’s opening, my family and I have had some great social interactions with other young families and grandparents. It has become a central meeting place for our family and friends to come and remember my grandparents.”
The City of Charles Sturt’s commitment to connection and inclusion is further illustrated in the addition of communication boards around the park, which encourage non-verbal interaction and simple sign language. Developed with Two Way Street and the Deaf Butterfly Effect, these boards establish a friendly, welcoming energy that educates and encourages park visitors to engage with each other.
As previously mentioned, Spad Street Reserve was created as a response to community feedback. More specifically, it was a result of the City of Charles Sturt’s 2020 Audit in which 400 Albert Park and Hendon residents informed the Council that while the local community was happy with many aspects of where they lived, they were missing an open green space to gather, relax, play, and soak in the regenerative power of nature-based surrounds.
During the ensuing “Your Neighbourhood Plan Albert Park and Hendon” community consultation sessions, many initiatives were discussed, including creating a new playground and reserve in Albert Park on land that held largely unoccupied Housing Trust units.
Thanks to significant funding from the City of Charles Sturt and additional funding support from the State and Federal Governments, the land was purchased, and the community hasn’t looked back since, and will encourage more to remain in the area, as it appears to have done for Danny and his family.
“I think the residents of 5014 and surrounding areas have a strong sense of ownership and community passion for this new reserve. We look forward to seeing how it evolves and develops in the coming years and watching our children grow, play, and form friendships and community ties. We have already seen people celebrate birthdays here. I think Spad Street Reserve will create a lot of core memories for the local children moving forward.”
All you need to know about Spad Street Reserve
Where: Spad Street Reserve, Corner Spad Street and Farman Avenue, Albert Park
Reserve Features:
A new playground with inclusive equipment (variety of ages & abilities)
Seating and shaded rest areas
Tree and vegetation planting
Open lawn space
Lighting
Drinking fountain and dog bowl and top
Fencing and entry gate
Paths, including small nature walk.
For more information: Head to the Spad Street Reserve | City of Charles Sturt page.
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