Locals will have noticed that turfing and tree planting in the open space at Harold Park, from the Tramsheds to Wigram Rd, was completed some months ago, and people are asking: ‘When will the park be opened?’

Informal chats with senior staff working on the site suggest that major drainage problems remain, especially in dealing with the water that pours from the cliff in wet weather. There are a number of old pipe outlets in the cliff that have apparently been difficult to deal with. There is also a drainage problem at the base of the steps that lead from the side of the Tramsheds into the park. Apparently dealing with these problems will need to continue even after the park opens.

The children’s play equipment is a one-off design, and compliance with stringent safety requirements has apparently also slowed down the process. The children’s playground hasn’t yet been finished. Shade structures for the picnic and play areas will take even longer, and may not be installed until February, according to informal sources.

Councillor Craig Chung has provided helpful advice on the Nabo website:

The parkland area around the Mirvac carpark will be open by the end of April 2017 to enable pram and disabled access to the Tramshed shopping centre … the rest of the park will be open by end of June 2017 subject to weather.

The park is, of course, the responsibility of Council, as Mirvac handed over the 3.8 hectares of land about three years ago as required by the original development consent, together with several million dollars towards the park development costs. Last year, Council asked for suggestions on naming the park and no doubt the chosen name will be revealed at the official opening.

A promising-looking children’s playground is under construction at the Harold Park park (image: Jan Macindoe)