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George Kendall Riverside Park reopens after $13.4M transformation

Project complete

We are excited to announce that the much-loved George Kendall Riverside Park has reopened after a $13.4 million restoration, part of the NSW Government’s Parks for People program. The major transformation includes 18 hectares of new parkland, improved facilities, and enhanced green spaces for everyone to enjoy.

George Kendall Riverside Park was selected for improvements under the Parks for People program and a plan developed through several stages of community engagement.

  • Your vision for improvements to George Kendall Riverside Park during the first phase of engagement in October and November 2020 helped to shape the draft concept design. The main priorities for the community were: a cool space that highlights the natural environment with play and fitness opportunities for individuals of all ages and accessibility levels. Read the What we've heard report for more information on the feedback received.
  • Throughout March 2021, community members were encouraged to provide feedback on the draft concept design.
  • In early 2022, the Department of Planning and Environment released the final design and fly-through video, which can be viewed below.

Key features and improvements:

  • Hilltop lookout
  • Learn-to-ride space for young children
  • Nature trails and recreational loops
  • New vehicle entry and upgraded car parking with pedestrian access
  • Constructed wetlands designed to filter and capture stormwater
  • Over four hectares of native plantings
  • Integration with the Parramatta River Cycleway
  • Upgraded off-leash dog area
  • Removal of leachate pipes and capping layer under wetlands

Construction

The restoration of George Kendall Riverside Park is now complete. New features such as the hilltop lookout, constructed wetlands, and expanded recreational facilities have transformed the park into a vibrant space for outdoor activities, nature exploration, and community gatherings.

For more information, please refer to the Department of Planning and Environment website. If you have any questions, please call the Department on 1300 420 596

Community engagement

Your input helped shape the final design, which now features a cool space with play and fitness opportunities for people of all ages and accessibility levels. We thank the community for their feedback throughout the engagement process.

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Your language

Need an interpreter? Please phone TIS on 131 450.

If you are deaf and/or find it hard hearing or speaking with people who use a phone, please contact the National Relay Service at relayservice.gov.au and provide them the City of Parramatta contact number, 1300 617 058.

Timeline

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    Oct 2020

    Stage one consultation hosted by NSW DPIE.
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    Late-2020/Early-2021

    Draft design developed.
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    Mar 2021

    Consultation on draft concept design, closed Thursday 25 March.
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    June 2021

    Stage two consultation conducted.
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    Late 2021

    Design work commenced.
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    August 2023

    George Kendall Riverside Park works commenced on Monday 14 August. A temporary shared path diversion route provided.
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    April 2024

    First stage of construction completed.
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    October 2024

    Park reopened 
     

Resources

Frequently asked questions

Parks for People is an innovative parks program funded by the NSW Government. Locations for new and upgraded parks have been chosen across Greater Sydney, with completed parks to be handed back to local Councils.

We will design these new or upgraded parks by putting you at the heart of planning. There are no blueprints or existing designs. We want you to think big about what this park could mean for the future of George Kendall Riverside Park.

Your ideas and values will help Sydney’s best landscape architects and designers bring these parks to life.

George Kendall Riverside Park is located within the Parramatta area - Sydney’s second CBD and the fastest growing Local Government Area of New South Wales. It is well loved and well used by the community, attracting locals and visitors who relax, play, cycle, walk and enjoy the open spaces, mangroves and the river. It’s also an important habitat for threatened species and wildlife.

As the community continues to grow, and the park gets busier, upgrades will ensure the space can preserve its natural setting while supporting a diversity of uses and creating special experiences for all members of the community.

The George Kendall Riverside Park upgrade will focus on the eastern side of the park. The makeover aims to create more structure to the park’s different functions but maintain its unique vast open space. Plus, it will enable better access to the riverside bike path.

Knowing what you care about gives us a starting point to develop a park that feels welcoming, inclusive and right for the local community.

You can have your say about the park at three stages:

  1. Concept design: Your input will help designers understand community values, needs and wants for the future.
  2. Preliminary design: Initial design feedback will tell us what’s working for the community—and what needs changing.
  3. Final design: Outcomes from engagement and technical studies will make sure everyone is happy with the final design.

We are aiming for the following time frame:

  • Late-2020: Design development begins
  • Mid-2022: Construction begins
  • Late-2022: George Kendall Riverside Park upgrade is completed
View all

Contact us

  • Department of Planning and Environment

    Have questions or want to learn more about this project? Contact the planning team via the details below:

    Phone: 1300 305 695

    Email: open.space@planning.nsw.gov.au

Sponsors

Need an interpreter? Please phone TIS on 131 450.

If you are deaf and/or find it hard hearing or speaking with people who use a phone, please contact the National Relay Service at relayservice.gov.au and provide them the City of Parramatta contact number, 1300 617 058.