Wadanggari Park

---

The result of innovative thinking and a collaborative, multi-disciplinary approach, Wadanggari Park is a highly complex project that has been constructed over the North Shore railway line, adjacent to the Pacific Highway at St Leonards, where available land is limited. Quite possibly the only park built over a railway line in Australia, Wadanggari Park delivers much-needed public open space to St Leonards, supporting the new residential and commercial communities moving into the suburb.

Research and detailed analysis of the site’s potential for programming and circulation, underpinned the creation of this new precinct for the St Leonards community. Wadanggari Park provides significant open space amenity with retail activation, play area, alfresco dining space, passive recreation space, an events hub, and accessible connections to the St Leonards residential zone south of the Pacific Highway with a revitalised subterranean link below the Pacific Highway to the existing station.

As increasing numbers of residents and tenants move into St Leonards, Wadanggari Park will be a resilient and responsive landscape that reflects and enhances the local character and identity of St Leonards, while meeting the demands of urban growth.

The design narrative is based on the Wadanggari (Banksia), a quintessential Australian flower known to have been here for 60 million years, which is an important part of the Lane Cove area ecological communities and of high significance in First Nations culture. With three towers that reflect the stages of growth of the Wadanggari (Banksia) flower, the play space at Wadanggari Park will be a major attraction for the space.

Playground
The play space at Wadanggari Park will be a major attraction for the space, designed for use by all age groups. The design narrative is based on the Banksia, a quintessential Australian flower known to have been here for 60 million years, which is an important part of the Lane Cove area’s ecological communities. The Banksia has high significance in First Nations culture and lore is an important symbol of growth and renewal, due to its regeneration through fire and smoke.

Reflecting the stages of growth of a banksia flower, the play space will include a pod climber for the pre-schoolers, a net tower for the primary school visitors and an art structure for teenagers and adults. Built on two exciting levels, the play will include steppers, infant pods, bridges, climbing nets, viewing decks, play logs and slide, with all elements chosen to suit the palette of the banksia. An Indigenous planting strategy will be used to increase connections to nature. A lighting concept will highlight the design concept of the play area, highlighting the towers, underscoring the bridge and emphasising the facade texture.

Community Recreation                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                Seating nooks set within curving walkways and raised fern gardens make ideal meeting spots for commercial workers, residents, and visitors to the park, to meet to enjoy a moment in the sun.

The Great Lawn
With a timber stage, a large expanse of turf and sloping lawns to the rear, the Great Lawn space can be used in a range of ways by the community, from weekend picnics, lounging in the lunchtime sun and community events.

Passive Nook                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                      Elevated from the Pacific Highway frontage, the passive nook features a mix of seating typologies, surrounded by raised planters full of Indigenous planting and mounds of lawn. Lighting ensures safety and accessibility from the highway frontage throughout the site, including the main connection passages and stairs to adjoining streets.

Art
Arcadia developed an art and wayfinding strategy that celebrates and acknowledges the Ga-maraigal/Cammeraygal people, working closely with Gaimariagal Elder Uncle Dennis Foley and Yuin artist and landscape architect, Kaylie Salvatori of Cola Studio. The narrative is based on the lifecycle of the banksia and its symbolism for growth and renewal due to its regeneration through fire and smoke. A mural on the wall fronting Canberra Avenue and a wall in the entrance from the tunnel are the work of Cola studio, with the narrative woven through paving inlays and patterning, interpretive shade sculptures and the sculptural play space. Lighting, wayfinding and paving will enhance navigation and safety, as well as creating a distinct identity for Wadanggari Place.