Gosford’s Leagues Club Park has taken out the Judges’ Choice category at the 2021 National Trust Heritage Awards in recognition of its incorporation of Aboriginal design elements.
The former Leagues Club Field has been transformed into a stunning nature-inspired regional play space, creating a landmark destination embedded with local culture and history, the National Trust said.
The $10M State Government funded project includes nature-inspired “wild play” areas, interactive Aboriginal design elements, accessible pathways and expansive green space.
The Darkinjung Local Aboriginal Land Council (DLALC) played a central role in the park’s design, working in close partnership with the Hunter Central Coast Development Corporation (HCCDC) and landscape architects Turf Design.
HCCDC Chief Operating Officer, Valentina Misevska, said the corporation was proud of the way it was able transform the park with such a significant cultural heritage component.
“The way that we worked with our Aboriginal partners rally enabled us to deliver a park with a beating cultural heart right in the centre of Gosford,” she said.
Local Aboriginal culture is integrated in the design, with the park’s cultural centre piece a circular amphitheatre inspired by a traditional meeting place and dance ground.
Misevska said the amphitheatre had been modelled on a traditional Aboriginal dance and meeting ground.
“It was co-designed with our partners from the DLALC and the artistry around the poles surrounding it was created by Gavi Duncan to reflect land water, people, kinship, the universe and learning,”” she said.
“The poles also feature handprints from local primary school children to reflect community and learning.”
Misevska said the park’s unique tidal pool was another outstanding feature.
“We understand this was a really important meeting place where land and water met, and we have interpreted that with our tidal terrace mechanism – the first of its kind to be used in a park in Australia,” she said.
“Sea creatures at the bottom of the tidal pool are revealed as water flows in and out of the pool according to the tidal movement of Brisbane Water.
“They were crafted out of sandstone and modelled on Aboriginal carvings found in the nearby mountains.”
Aboriginal canoes and a European-style boat symbolise the meeting of two cultures, with the natural environment bringing connection and understanding.
The park also contains interpretive signage and an Aboriginal fish trap play piece, reflecting the fact that this was an important source of food for the community,’’ Misevska said.
The awards were announced at a ceremony at heritage-listed Dolton House, recognising projects, initiatives and individuals that demonstrate excellence in the conservation, protection, and interpretation of Aboriginal, built, natural and cultural heritage.
The annual awards, now in their 27th year, are the signature event of the Australian Heritage Festival in NSW.
Source:
Media release, May 13
National Trust