Ballast Point Park

Ballast Point Park - Walama

Sydney's newest harbourside park recently opened at Ballast Point in Birchgrove, approximately 7 kilometres from the CBD.
The 2.6-hectare park offers Sydneysiders and visitors walking paths, access for cyclists and green picnic spots with incredible views of Sydney Harbour Bridge.
Sydney Harbour Foreshore Authority managed the $11 million project, which included acquiring the site on behalf of the NSW Government in 2002.
One of the park's most interesting features is the way the site's history has been brought to life for visitors through design, art and poetry, including:

• Tank 101: a structure to symbolise the site's working harbour history
• Delicate Balance: an artwork that represents the use of sandstone from the site as ballast for European ships.

Aboriginal history has been recognised in a dual name for the park - Walama - which means 'to return' and highlights the area's transformation from industrial use back to nature.
Ballast Point Park also sets a new benchmark for sustainable park design and includes:

• wetland areas to filter the site's stormwater before it enters the harbour
• walls, decks and seating made from recycled materials
• native trees, shrubs and grasses grown from locally collected seed
• eight wind turbines that generate power to be fed back into the electricity grid.

Sydney Harbour Foreshore Authority worked with McGregor + Coxall Landscape Architects to design the park and Landscape Solutions for construction. The Authority also ensured community input into the park design through a significant consultation process undertaken between 2003 and 2005.
A children's play area, barbecues and amenities are located at the park, which is open from sunrise to sunset daily. Ballast Point Park is an on-leash area for dogs.

How to get thereBallast Point Park is located at the end of Ballast Point Road, Birchgrove, on the Balmain peninsula, and is accessible by bus and ferry. There are also a small number of car spaces at the park.
Access for people with disabilities is from Wharf Road for the upper levels and from Yeend Street for the foreshore promenade.