Arcadia Landscape Architecture has been appointed as lead landscape architect on the creation and delivery of two significant public open space projects in Sydney’s Northern Beaches, situated on the land of the Garigal people, as part of a collaboration with Department of Planning and Infrastructure (DPIE) and Northern Beaches Council.
Arcadia is undertaking the design and delivery of the ground-breaking public spaces, which are part of the NSW Government’s Park for People program. The parks will celebrate the unique local character of the Northern Beaches, engaging with communities to deliver open spaces that will be used and loved by Northern Beaches residents for years to come.
The parks include Nandi Reserve, a bushland park next to the Wakehurst Parkway, the 16km long key connecting road between the Northern Beaches.
The second location is County Road Reserve in Belrose, off Forest Way, an existing open space that looks to be rejuvenated for the local community. Both parks are located near the recently completed Northern Beaches Hospital, which backs onto the Wakehurst Parkway.
Michael Barnett, Director, Arcadia says, “Arcadia is proud to be partnering with the Department of Planning and Infrastructure and Northern Beaches Council to deliver city-shaping community public spaces. The brief for the two Northern Beaches parks allows us to respond with values deeply aligned to our own of placemaking, Connection to Country and ecology.”
Arcadia was appointed for its unique approach by demonstrating strong Connection to Country design experience and with the integration of Arcadia’s curated ‘Expert Advisory Panel’, which delivers a wide level of technical ability and expertise to complement Arcadia’s deep understanding of the unique project needs. Working with DPIE and Northern Beaches Council, extensive community consultation is being undertaken to better understand the needs of the community, with accessibility for members of the community of all ages and abilities at the heart of the design.
Chris Tidswell, Principal, Arcadia says, “Covid-19 has meant that public spaces have never been more valued by the community. We’re looking forward to renewing these spaces and creating engaging destinations for social connection and activity for the Northern Beaches community of all ages, backgrounds and abilities.”
Arcadia has conducted ‘Walkshops’ for the project sites, alongside the design panel, Northern Beaches Council and the Department of Planning and Infrastructure, to walk Country with cultural leaders as part of a truly collaborative design process.
A leading landscape architecture firm, Arcadia brings extensive experience in urban design, landscape architecture, community engagement, placemaking, play, ecology, and First Nations design and collaboration, which will be applied to the transformation of these landscapes.
Practical completion of both sites is targeted for June 2022.
Community Feedback
The DPIE conducted the first phase of community engagement in April 2021. Arcadia, working with Terroir and TTW, has used the results, along with findings from their first Walkshop, site visits and technical studies to guide the vision for Nandi Reserve at Frenchs Forest and County Road Reserve, Belrose.
Draft concept designs (below) are available for the community to provide feedback.
Nandi Reserve: the team has embraced the natural qualities of the site to create a new vision for Nandi Reserve. The proposed design preserves and strengthens habitat through regeneration and tree planting, while providing a great space for people through a mix of quiet areas for relaxing, nature play, walking and connecting with country.
County Road Reserve: The team has considered how County Road Reserve can be revitalised creating a welcoming park with new and improved facilities, play and open space that will maximise activation in harmony with the bushland setting. In addition to enhancing the functionality and safety of the park, the proposed design integrates the site into its natural setting, regenerating and rehabilitating fauna, providing opportunities for an inclusive nature playspace that utilises Everyone Can Play principles, discovery walking trails and bush tucker learning or interpretive signage.
