Tench Reserve – Parks for People, won the 2024 NSW AILA Landscape Architecture Award for Parks & Open Space.

Situated along the picturesque banks of the Nepean River, Tench Reserve stands as a testament to excellence in park design, community engagement, and sustainable development. Part of the NSW Government’s Parks for People program, this transformative project is a benchmark for future open space designs, demonstrating a commitment to innovative, resilient, and culturally inclusive public spaces.

The revitalisation of Tench Reserve began with a clear vision to enhance community well-being while integrating the park into Sydney’s broader blue-green infrastructure, including the Nepean River Walk. Guided by the City of Penrith’s Nepean River Masterplan, the project aimed to create a dynamic and flexible parkland that bridges the community with the river, respecting both local needs and Aboriginal cultural values.

From the outset, the project emphasised community engagement through collaboration with JOC Consulting. This involved connecting with community members via consultations and workshops to ensure the design mirrored shared aspirations and insights. Initial feedback was collected through an online survey and a social pinpoint map, with participants contributing ideas and priorities that influenced the park’s development.

Tench Reserve features several innovative elements. The events amphitheatre and wharf precinct celebrate the park’s riverside location, offering flexible spaces for events and a sculptural stair / amphitheatre that provides a vantage point and accommodates temporary staging. The dynamic playspace includes an inclusive playground with fixed equipment, water play, and informal nature play, along with new BBQ facilities, shade structures, and an inclusive amenities pavilion by Hill Thalis Architecture. Additionally, the ‘Story Trap’ public artwork, created in collaboration with Cave Urban and inspired by Aboriginal cultural themes, features a large-scale Land Art piece representing a fish trap made from granite boulders and cast bronze fish, inviting tactile interaction and reflection.

The design reflects a profound connection to Country, with cultural principles woven throughout the park’s features. Balarinji’s consultation with local Aboriginal knowledge holders enriched the project, integrating themes of education, community spaces, and environmental stewardship. The choice of natural materials respects the site’s history while ensuring resilience against flooding, striking a balance between robust infrastructure and the parkland’s naturalistic qualities.

Tench Reserve has revitalised the area, becoming a central gathering space for the Penrith region. The park supports local businesses and hosts events like the ‘Real Festival,’ enhancing community engagement and economic activity. The park’s design addresses key community values of access, health, and safety, offering a vibrant hub for both everyday use and special events.

The Tench Reserve revitalisation is a holistic project that integrates social, environmental, cultural, and economic considerations to create a resilient and cherished public space. By reconnecting the river to the community and providing a platform for diverse activities, CONTEXT’s design sets a new standard for riverside landscapes, demonstrating the power of collaborative vision and innovative design in shaping vibrant, inclusive communities.

Project Data

Landscape architecture: CONTEXT

Other designers involved in the design of landscape:
– NSW Department of Planning, Housing and Infrastructure, Client
– Hills Thalis, Architecture
– JOC Consulting, Community & Engagement
– Balarinji, Indigenous Design and Strategy
– Stantec, Engineering
– NGH, Heritage
– Birds Tree Consultancy, Arboriculture
– Funktion, Access and Inclusive Design
– GHD, Engineering (wharf)
– CCEP, Play Certification

Project Location: New South Wales, Australia

Year completed: 2023

Photo credits:
– Brett Boardman
– Penrith City Council