High-rise apartments 8% 27

4.8. Public Spaces and parks

Overview

Online survey participants were asked: ‘‘If I could improve public spaces and parks in the precinct… these would be my priorities’

The top five ways to improve public spaces in this precinct were:

• Street trees for shade and comfort on the streets (60%) • Feeling of safety (56%) • Access to quality public spaces and parks (52%) • Activities and play for children and families (42%), and • Recognition of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultural connections to the area (25%).

The full list of multiple choice options and results for this question is provided in the table below. After selecting their answer, they were asked to provide more detail to their answer. Key comments from this open ended question are summarised overpage.

Table 26 - Priorities for improving public space (Concord/ Burwood North Precinct)

Street trees for shade and comfort on the streets 60 50

Feeling of safety Access to quality public spaces and parks Activities and play for children and families Recognition of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultural connections to the area 56 47

52 44

42 35

25 21

Ability to use parks and public spaces at night Public art 23 19

12 10

Please note respondents were able to select more than one option listed, therefore percentages do not add up to 100%. Concord Oval proposed upgrades

Bayview Park

Summary of key comments relating to priorities for improving public space

Street trees for shade and to make outdoor living rooms • A high number of people expressed desire for more trees to provide shade. • More trees to enable people to gather in groups. • More plants and foliage to create visual interest. • Include native trees and shrubs. • Shaded play areas for children.

Improved quality public spaces and parks • Signage and wayfinding for landmarks within parks. • Interesting spaces that include public art. • Better maintenance of public spaces to ensure they are clean and free of rubbish. • Parks with quality amenities such as seating, toilets, bubblers and lighting. Specific parks identified for improvements include Queen Elizabeth Park. • Retain existing public spaces and heritage of the area.

Access to public spaces and parks • New and better connected walk and cycle ways. • Wider footpaths to and within public spaces that are universally friendly. • Ideas also included a separate path for pedestrians and cyclists.

Maximise use of public space at day and night • Improved lighting in public spaces to maximise its use at night for passive and active recreation including sporting activities after dark. • Surveillance cameras to improve safety at night.

Recognition of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultural connections to the area • A number of people expressed the need for further representation of the Aboriginal and Torres Strait

Islander heritage in the area. • More visual presence and awareness of the Wangal

People of the Eora Nation history in the precinct. • Indigenous name of country in signage and wayfinding boards. The community said...

All parks and open spaces to provide places for all people to enjoy the outdoors, birdlife and green space. As well as the opportunity for use by organised sporting communities. - survey participant

Goddard Park provides open spaces for the community to be outdoor and active. - survey participant

Parks and foreshore - I love all the green and open spaces and foreshore area which means I don’t need to drive anywhere to walk and exercise.

- survey participant

Queen Elizabeth Park; beautiful Park that so far remains unobstructed by towering unit blocks.

-survey participant

Burwood Road between Parramatta Road and Crane Street - A lot of character and history regarding the old Post Office, Council Chambers (historic marker), and other significant buildings including the primary school buildings and shops.

- survey participant

This area has some lovely parks which should be maintained. The proposed site of the station is currently very run down and can only improve with good urban design.

- survey participant

Shade from trees, gardens along street. High quality street furniture. - survey participant