ROBIN THOMAS & JAMES RUSE RESERVE MASTER PLAN PUBLIC EXHIBITION THE PURPOSE OF THE MASTER PLAN PARRAMATTA RIVER This Master Plan has been prepared by consultants GroupGSA PARRAMATTA CBD BOUNDARY for the City of Parramatta Council. The aim of this study is to QUEENS WHARF RESERVE review the physical and planning considerations of the site in BUILDINGS order to provide an underlying direction to the future design NOW and implementation of park improvements. REMOVED GEORGE STREET DEVELOPMENT The three main objectives behind the design and investigations SITE GRANVILLE into the park are to: PRIVATELY HARRIS STREET WARATAHS OWNED CLUBHOUSE HERITAGE BUILDING • Review existing masterplan in response to Parramatta Light Rail and its impacts; SPORTS AMENITIES • Enhance the existing recreational bene fi ts of the park; • Develop a cultural connection to the history of the site; and • Broaden the general use and amenity of the site. ROWLAND HASSALL ST IOANNIS SCHOOL AERIAL PHOTOGRAPH (1943) EXISTING SPORTS AMENITIES BUILDING/CLUBHOUSE ROBIN THOMAS RESERVE GREEK ORTHODOX CHURCH BACKGROUND MACQUARIE STREET This master plan supersedes the previous plan for Robin Thomas ROBIN THOMAS RESERVE Reserve and James Ruse Reserves produced and adopted by PUMP JAMES RUSE RESERVE HOUSE Council in 2014 in order to consider impacts and opportunities resulting from the implementation of the Parramatta Light Rail along the periphery of the site. The proposals will aim to WATER PLAY accommodate the Light Rail with minimal compromise on the SKATE PARK CAR PARK recreational amenity of the existing space. PLAY AREA C L A Y Y R C Robin Thomas & James Ruse Reserves currently provide amenity A L I F D F DEVELOPMENT N C and recreational space to the east of the Parramatta CBD. The R U E SITE T E E O E K R T S B reserves form part of a group of open spaces with Queens Wharf S E K D R A P B C Reserve in the north and Harris Park in the south. Hambledon A T HARRIS PARK RESERVE T Cottage and Experiment Farm create additional amenity in the A M A area, to the south east and south respectively. R R A HAMBLEDON P COTTAGE Whilst this master plan focuses on Robin Thomas and James Ruse ROBIN THOMAS & JAMES RUSE RESERVES AERIAL PLAN PARRAMATTA 1813 FROM SOUTH SIDE OF THE RIVER. IMAGE FROM NGA WEBSITE EXISTING INTERPRETATIVE SIGNAGE Reserves, the visual and physical connections to these other L green spaces and attractions are essential in providing users NORTH with seamless access to the wider green infrastructure network PARRAMATTA as identi fi ed in the 2012 Parramatta City Centre Public Domain UWS Framework Plan. PARRAMATTA T E E R T S L L L E N HISTORY N O C ’ O FUTURE CBD EXTENT Modern History Aboriginal History T H O M A S S T R E E T The portion of the reserve fronting George Street is the site of Recent excavations and archaeological investigation carried several early historic buildings including Military Barracks that out in close proximity to the reserve have identi fi ed an extensive 1000M L EXISTING CBD EXTENT were built in 1791. alluvial sand deposit containing archaeological remains F associated with Aboriginal history. The Reserves are located 500M In the 1870’s six acres of the site was owned by Samuel Purchase within the same deposit. Therefore the potential exists for it to who established Somerset Nursery. The Nursery, located on the contain remains associated with Aboriginal occupation of the 250M L FUTURE LIGHT RAIL LINE block of land bound by Harris, George & Hassall Streets grew Parramatta area, over the last 10,000 years. a large number of fruit and street trees as well as shrubs, roses, L and ferns. L L T By the mid 1880’s a number of brick terraced cottages were Who was James Ruse? Who was James Ruse? James Ruse (1760-1837) arrived in Australia in 1788 as a convict James Ruse (1760-1837) arrived in Australia in 1788 as a convict located to the east and a small corner shop located on the on the First Fleet. He was an industrious Cornish farmer and was on the First Fleet. He was an industrious Cornish farmer and was north west corner. The site was also home to Somerset Cottage, ROSE HILL responsible for producing the fi responsible for producing the fi rst successful wheat harvest in rst successful wheat harvest in a larger stone residence with stables, sheds, storerooms and New South Wales. He was rewarded with an extension to his New South Wales. He was rewarded with an extension to his fl ower houses. The nursery closed in 1902. HARRIS PARK allotment at nearby Experiment Farm, which he later sold to allotment at nearby Experiment Farm, which he later sold to John Harris before moving to the Hawkesbury. John Harris before moving to the Hawkesbury. The southern half of the reserve on the fl ats of Clay Cliff Creek now known as James Ruse Reserve, was used for market gardens A signi fi A signi fi cant fi cant fi gure in the early settlement of Sydney, a number gure in the early settlement of Sydney, a number from the late 1890’s to the 1920’s. The land on the northern of key locations bear his name including James Ruse Reserve. of key locations bear his name including James Ruse Reserve. side of Clay Cliff Creek was used for dairy farming and cattle James Ruse Agricultural High School in Carlingford, James James Ruse Agricultural High School in Carlingford, James grazing from 1917 to 1958. Clay Cliff Creek is thought to have Ruse Drive, and Ruse, a suburb in south west Sydney. Ruse Drive, and Ruse, a suburb in south west Sydney. been straightened and moved south in the 1930’s and had been contained in a concrete channel by the 1950’s. EXISTING INTERFACE WITH HARRIS STREET ROBIN THOMAS & JAMES RUSE RESERVE LOCAL CONTEXT
ROBIN THOMAS & JAMES RUSE RESERVE MASTER PLAN PUBLIC EXHIBITION EXISTING THROUGH ROAD REMOVED SHARED ENTRANCE TO HERITAGE HOUSE ENHANCED PARK LIGHT RAIL THREE PRECINCTS AND CAR PARK GATEWAY OBJECTIVES The park is valued as a retreat and recreation opportunity for HISTORIC G an increasingly urbanised community. It offers experiences not E REFERENCES O R G available within smaller parks. Its value is further strengthened E ALONG PERIPHERY S T R E E by its connection to the Parramatta River corridor. Retaining OF PARK WALK T and developing these values relies on a signi fi cant portion of INFORMAL the park remaining unstructured. At the same time, there is RECREATION clear community demand for improved landscape quality, fl exible park facilities, aesthetic, ecological and amenity values. A TREE PLANTING The following design principles have been developed during TO PERIPHERY OF the course of the master planning process. PARK Civic Green Park SHADY PLANTING LAND TO BE Create a civic and active park setting with a mix of trees, AREA BENEATH ACQUIRED FOR sports provision and grasslands, incorporating ornamental TREES PARKING AREA specimen planting in a framework that enhances the MACQUARIE STREET B ecological values of the park. ET POTENTIAL FOR Re-connect the Past and Present with the Future WIRE FREE FUTURE LINK TO Recognise, interpret and integrate the historical layers that LIGHTRAIL ELLANGOWAN have shaped Robin Thomas Reserve & James Ruse Reserve, AROUND PARK HOUSE including their natural and river heritage. PERIPHERY Reveal the Unique Riverside Setting PITCH POSITION Recognise and integrate the unique contextual relationship RETAIN ACTIVE RATIONALISED C between the park and the nearby river by maximising view USE OF SPORTS TO PROPOSED opportunities and providing appropriate connections. LANDSCAPE FIELDS & FIELD DESIGN DIMENSIONS Social and Recreational Facilities Develop fl exible park facilities that cater for a range of social and recreation uses providing for a diversity of ages, abilities, social groups and individuals. PRECINCT IDENTIFICATION ENHANCED PARK Sporting Parkand Events Park GATEWAY AND Enhance the quality and functioning of the sports facilities in A Cultural and Civic Precinct LINKS the park to provide for a range of organised sports activities This precinct will be the cultural and civic core of the park, offering and community events. formal lawns, ornamental planting within a formal structure. EXISTING PUMP References to the site heritage will be evident through interpretive HOUSE Public Art signage, public art and built form. Integrate art and local interpretation into the landscape HARRIS STREET and incorporate creative and artistic expression throughout B Active Recreation Precinct the site. A fl exible space for organised sports, recreation and events. CAFE AND PLAZA Safe and Accessible Park C Community and Environment Precinct Create a park that is accessible and safe for visitors of all A socially active and energy fi lled space with opportunities for ages. Maximise links with adjacent neighbourhoods and play. A southwestern interface with Clay Cliff Creek offering NEW AMENITIES create opportunities for active and passive surveillance. opportunities for naturalisation, biodiversity and habitat. A Sustainable Design POTENTIAL COMMUNITY Create a sustainable design that recognises and incorporates NATURALISATION PLAY best practice in environmentally sustainable design, OFF STREET OF CHANNEL maintenance and management, including potential re-use PARKING RETAINED AS of stormwater. EXISTING NEW TREE WATER MANAGEMENT & PRIMARY PATHWAY TREATMENT AREA PARKES STREET SECONDARY PATHWAY BRIDGE/DECK SHELTER NEW BRIDGE CONNECTION FROM HARRIS SEAT STREET JUNCTION LIGHT RAIL LINE LANDSCAPE MASTER PLAN
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