The Canberra Central Parklands
In February 2007, the NCA launched an international competition for a schematic master plan for Commonwealth Park, Rond Terraces and Kings Park (the Canberra Central Parklands). The competition brief acknowledged the future challenges facing the parklands, including tree and vegetation management, prolonged drought conditions, a growing residential and working population to the north of the site with needs for recreation and fitness activities, and requirements for commemoration and celebration.
The winning design needed to;
- Increase connectivity between areas within the parklands and between parklands and the city
- Respect the heritage values of the parklands
- Develop a continuous public promenade from bridge to bridge (RG Menzies Walk)
- Create innovative public spaces suitable for a range of public events, commemorative services and visitor activities
- Develop a strategy for parklands infrastructure
- Expand opportunities for interaction with Lake Burley Griffin
- Develop a sustainable landscape management plan
In June 2007, the winning entry was awarded to Oxygen Pty Ltd, Adelaide based landscape architects. Oxigen are currently preparing a detailed master plan for the Parklands and are also preparing designs for the first project for implementation under the master plan - the RG Menzies Walk.
