Revitalisation Starts for Wimbo Park in Surry Hills

Much-needed upgrades have begun at Wimbo Park in Surry Hills to turn the area into a better green space for residents and visitors.

On Tuesday, the 1st of November 2022, a groundbreaking ceremony took place at Wimbo Park, which has tripled in size since the demolition of the Olivia Gardens apartment building to make way for the construction of the light rail tracks. The groundbreaking ceremony was also attended by students from Bourke Street Public School.

Since the construction, the City of Sydney had been planning to upgrade the open space with ideas drawn from a series of community consultations. The park’s concept design was released in early 2020 and was approved for development.

“Wimbo Park has grown from 1500 to 4600 square metres and we’re excited to transform the space into what I know will become a much-loved park,” Lord Mayor Clover Moore said.

“Wimbo Park was originally a small rest area. But when we negotiated the light rail development agreement with Transport for NSW we ensured the balance of any land not required would be dedicated back to us for use as an expanded community park.”

“We are putting in more shade trees that will make the park an oasis for local residents and visitors who want to come here with their children to play, grab a bite to eat from the nearby cafes and stores or those simply enjoying a bit of nature.

“In the densely populated inner city, parks are our backyards, so these spaces could not be more important. Our work to plant trees and increase public green space improves wellbeing, reduces urban temperatures and invites more nature to our area.”

Once completed, the upgraded Wimbo Park will have:

more shade trees and an open lawn
more parkland and less paving
more casual seating
a shared zone along Parkham Lane and a walking path through the park
a play area with in-ground trampolines and softfall mounds
a fenced and planted buffer separating the park from the light rail
reinstating the Wimbo Paddock Mural and Stonemasons monument

The construction will be carried out in two phases to provide access to the park amidst the ongoing work.