project
Wadeye Park
| Client | Kardu Diminin Corportation Limited |
| Location | Wadeye NT |
| Completion Year | 2023 |
| Sector | Government |
| Remote |
| Project Manager |
Fiona Eddleston
Director & Landscape Architect
The Wadeye Public Park by Bennett Architecture is a culturally grounded, socially responsive landscape designed for flexible and inclusive community use. Dispersed activity zones reduce congestion and encourage movement, connected by shaded pathways linking play areas, art shelters, and gathering spaces. The design caters to all ages with varied play and event spaces, anchored by an upgraded music stage. Central to the scheme is the Red-tailed Black Cockatoo theme, reflecting shared cultural identity. Generous amenities, lighting, and a cultural signage trail support extended use, storytelling, and strengthen community connection to Country.
Key objectives
Create an inclusive, flexible public space that supports diverse community use across all ages and activities
Embed cultural identity through the Red-tailed Black Cockatoo theme and integrated storytelling elements
Encourage movement and reduce congestion through a dispersed spatial layout and connected shaded pathways
Provide safe, comfortable, and extended use environments with seating, lighting, and accessible amenities
Strengthen community connection to Country by incorporating cultural signage, gathering spaces, and event-focused infrastructure
Project Story
The Frank McEllister Community Park included the detail design and documentation of the major regional park in Alice Springs. The concept plan had been completed for Alice Springs Town Council (ASTC) by another firm. We reviewed the conceptual design, and using our knowledge of how Territorians play and socialise, we improved the ideas and materials to fit the social, economic and maintenance realities better suited Alice Springs Town Council and the community. The way we approach our projects is methodical with check points to ensure the scope of works is within the required needs for the project, the community is being engaged and informing the project needs and the budget is being monitored to avoid costly rework. For the Frank McEllister Community Park project, we engaged with ASTC and the community directly via stakeholder meetings and online surveys. We were able to capture valuable insights from a wide cross section of the community and ensured the community received the feedback to their comments, by posting the detail design and 3D images before the project was progressed to final documentation. Our clear communication strategy with Council through the phases of the project, guided the understanding of the issues, strengths and weaknesses of the design and facilitated design changes at critical times in the design development and documentation. It also gave Council a week-by-week status of how the project was progressing and dual management of the program to gain the best outcomes for the project
