Tench Reserve, designed by CONTEXT reopens to the public

Reflecting on the design process, CONTEXT Director, Hamish Dounan said the project team’s top priority was protecting the unique environment and scenic beauty, whilst creating new spaces for the community to come together.

“Our team worked with the NSW Government to consult industry and local experts on what design interventions would be suitable for this unique site. Engagement was carried out with the

local community to ensure their ideas and feedback informed the concept and final design.”

Project partners for this work included JOC Consulting who led on community engagement, and Indigenous design and strategy studio, Balarinji who consulted with locally connected Aboriginal knowledge holders.

“Our engagement with the local Indigenous community foregrounded opportunities for how the design could deepen the park’s sense of place and provide an understanding of the Aboriginal cultural and spiritual context of the site”, said Dounan.

Loved and much-used by the local community to cool off, have fun and exercise, the Nepean River is at the heart of the design. In line with the City of Penrith’s Nepean River Master Plan by Clouston Associates, the design for the park has sought to foster and support connections between the community and the water, with the team inspired by the unique river landscape – its fertile banks, floodplains and the flora and fauna these support.

Commenting on the outcome, Dounan praised the NSW Government.

“Collaborating with the state government on community-driven legacy projects like this, that will serve generations to come, is immensely rewarding. The NSW Government’s Parks for People Program is testament to the significance public open spaces play in all of our lives. We’re looking forward to delivering more projects within this initiative in the future.”

Tench Reserve joins CONTEXT’s growing portfolio of public park projects across New South Wales.

Images: Penrith City Council