North Watson neighbourhood park

The park will be built on an ACT Government owned vacant site on Aspinall Street as part of the north Watson urban renewal project.

The park will be within walking distance of most homes in north Watson.

The park will include artworks commissioned from the Ngunnawal community and will feature a Maliyan (Wedge-tailed Eagle) structure. It will also include natural and standard play equipment for all ages, and spaces to rest and kick a ball.

In addition to the park, the site will include housing and open space to protect wildlife habitat, particularly for the endangered Superb Parrot.

The members of the local Dhawura Ngunnawal Caring for Country Committee and of the Representative Aboriginal Organisations have been involved in the development of the design, including the Maliyan structure. Information shared by the Ngunnawal people about the importance of the Maliyan to their community and culture is being incorporated into the park. The park will incorporate a selection of endemic plants that have a special and practical connection to Ngunnawal community and culture. Artworks designed by Ngunnawal artists will also be distributed in various locations throughout the park. Further consultation was conducted with the Ngunnawal community and an application was prepared to the then Minister for Planning and Land Management to have the park formally known as 'Maliyan park'. The approved determination was officially notified on the ACT Legislation Register website on 2 November 2023.

During the 2021 consultation to develop the site’s place plan and development concept, the community provided suggestions on the park’s potential design and the features to be included in the play areas.

The top priorities for creating a space the community want to visit included:

• Ngunnawal and other First Nations input
• play and exercise equipment
• walking and cycling facilities
• retain existing trees and habitat
• nature play.

The park will deliver these features to meet Territory design standards for local neighbourhood parks.

Project benefits

Benefits from a new local neighbourhood park in North Watson include:

• an open and accessible place for nearby families and friends to gather within walking distance from home
• a peaceful, shared space to relax or be active
• a place that celebrates and shares Ngunnawal culture with the younger generations.

Find out more

Find out more about the park and the proposed development of 200 new dwellings, including a Demonstration Housing site and protection for Superb Parrot habitat at https://yoursayconversations.act.gov.au/northwatson.

If you have any other questions about the project, please contact the Watson 76 team through epsddcomms@act.gov.au or 13 22 81.