Hudson Street Park and Playground

---

Located in Lewisham, one of Sydney’s oldest suburbs, the Hudson Street Park Precinct is a defining space in Lewisham.  Hudson Street Park is surrounded by a diverse mixed-use development, Luna, which is strategically located adjacent to a major light-rail stop, creating a bustling and well-connected precinct.

Working closely with the local council and the Department of Transport, Arcadia recognised the opportunity for the park to act as a cultural reflection of Lewisham’s progressive community, a diverse place where the design provides an engaging, positive, healthy environment in which people commute, live, play, learn and exercise.

With many differentiating factors, including age, level of ability and cultural background, contributing to the diversity of the Lewisham community, Arcadia designed a park that could be used by all age groups and status – singles, families with young children, teenagers, young adults and older people.

A café and general store have been included to activate the precinct and five public through-site links thread through the site, providing pedestrian amenity from the Lewisham Light Rail stop to the Lewisham Train Station and surrounding suburbs.

The rich site history provided opportunities for interpretation, as historical narrative subconsciously and consciously informs users of the historical nature of the community. Bespoke elements have been included, such as the shade canopies which reflect the establishment of the Lewisham Whipple Truss Bridge, and the table tennis design which is a celebration of Lewisham’s identity with a contemporary design featuring the postcode – 2049.

The site falls in a low point for the surrounding area and often floods, so Arcadia worked closely with Enstruct to integrate a drainage and WSUD strategy. A series of raingardens and infiltration basins are positioned throughout the public park, expressing the process of stormwater treatment in an aesthetic framework, while highlighting an important ecological process in a visually pleasing and engaging way.

Local endemic plants have created lush native planting and have been used throughout the site to establish strong links to the site’s original ecological community.

Hudson Street Park is a success with both the new and existing residents of Lewisham, strengthening the site’s identity and character, sense of community and pride in ownership.

This new public place adds to the quality of life, not just for the adjoining residents, but for the wider Lewisham neighbourhood and community.