Darlinghurst residents will soon have more room for socialising and relaxing as well as space to grow their own produce, thanks to the City of Sydney’s plans for a new green space in east Sydney.
Community gardening beds and a lawn with park benches for locals to share time together are coming, with construction of a pocket park at 222 Palmer Street set to begin early next year.
Local feedback inspired the pocket park design that focuses on community gardening and includes new entry steps to Palmer Street, recycled brick paving, turf lawn, bench seats, plants and a nature play area.
Lord Mayor Clover Moore said the new pocket park was part of the City’s investment of $21 million on major projects that will transform Sydney’s east over the next 10 years.
“From improving community facilities in Woolloomooloo to creating new parks in Darlinghurst, the City is dedicated to enhancing the quality of life for all our residents,” the Lord Mayor said.
“The City of Sydney is home to some of the highest urban density in Australia, which means our network of pockets parks is vital for local residents looking for open space to serve a variety of needs.
“The new community garden will contribute to the sustainability of our city and provide significant environmental, educational and social benefits for local gardeners and the wider community.”
The City’s community garden team will work with interested residents to form a community garden group. If the group continues to grow, the site has room for compost bins, worm farms and more garden beds.
At the corner of Palmer Street and Berwick Lane in Darlinghurst, the new open space was the former site of the John Birt Memorial Hall, and most recently, the site of the KU Frances Newton Preschool.
Work includes the partial retention of brick walls associated with the former preschool to commemorate the site’s history of providing education and childcare services to the local area for almost 80 years.
The pocket park is part of the final stage of the City’s East Sydney small parks project, which also includes O’Briens Lane Reserve, completed in 2015 and located at the intersection of Bourke and Stanley streets.
Other significant projects in the area include the new East Sydney Community and Arts Centre, and community facilities at 277 Bourke Street to support local families near the recently refurbished Eternity Playhouse.
The City of Sydney local government area has more than 400 parks, including 330 small parks and playgrounds. The City’s parks cover a total area of more than 188 hectares.
For media inquiries or images, contact City of Sydney Senior Media Advisor Alex Cauchi on 0467 803 815 or acauchi@cityofsydney.nsw.gov.au
For interviews with Lord Mayor Clover Moore, contact Paul Mackay. Phone 0432 182 647 or email pmackay@cityofsydney.nsw.gov.au