Bradfield City Centre Central Park

Discover Central Park at Bradfield City Centre, a vibrant green space designed for community, recreation and sustainability in Sydney's newest city.

Central Park artist impression

Project status

State Significant Development Application (SSDA) under assessment.

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Central Park at Bradfield City Centre

Central Park will be the main civic space and welcoming point for visitors to Bradfield City Centre. Located in the heart of Sydney’s newest city, it will be a place for people to gather, play and relax. It will also provide a stunning backdrop for arts and cultural events.

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Bradfield City Centre Central Park fly through June 2024

Quick facts

  • Two hectares of open space.
  • 65% tree canopy cover.
  • Designed with Country.
  • Gathering Ground for cultural and community events.
  • Play space for all ages.
  • Connected by Metro to Western Sydney International (Nancy-Bird Walton) Airport.

The heart of Bradfield City Centre

The design

The Central Park design offers a beautiful and functional space for visitors, workers, and residents. It is sensitive and supported by innovative technology to best care for the park and its users, adapting to a changing climate and a new, growing city.

The standout design feature of the 2-hectare park is the striking Sky Ring, framing Big Sky Country by day and the stars at night.

Central Park detail model of the Sky Ring

Bradfield Central Park is an opportunity to honour Country, celebrate the importance of old and new knowledge... not just for today but with consideration of the next seven generations.
– ASPECT Studios

Celebrating, protecting, and focusing on the sky whilst providing shelter, directing rainwater, and supporting misting water technology systems, the Sky Ring will be the first impression visitors have of Bradfield City Centre as they step from the Metro.

In addition to the Sky Ring, design elements such as the Ephemeral Wetlands, the Gathering Place and the Interwoven Heart, a series of woven shelters creating a connected play experience as well as ongoing artistic practice opportunities for Dharug creatives, are driven by the idea of building a space that will be useable and relevant seven generations from its inception.

Image gallery

The Central Park design competition

A 2-stage design competition took place in early 2023. An expert panel selected ASPECT Studios' concept from a shortlist of five leading architecture firms.

The panel agreed the winning design met all parts of the competition brief. It delivers an elegant, simple, and world-class park that suits the future urban setting of the site.

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The Central Park Design Competition

Read transcript
Video transcript

The Central Park Design Competition

James Corner:

So, there's a lot to like about ASPECT's scheme.

It's relatively simple and elegant.

Dr Libby Gallagher:

There's a real sense of joy and discovery.

Abbie Galvin:

I think the ASPECT scheme had an incredible sort of softness and simplicity to it.

Clarence Slockee:

In some ways the simplicity -- it was very clear and very concise around the elements that were represented in the design.

Kate Luckraft:

It also has so many ways in which you could experience spaces within this park.

James Corner:

It will only get better and better and better with time because the planting program, the tree planting program in particular, is designed with time in mind.

Clarence Slockee:

I think they've been really able to bring a design to the table that shows what you can do in a small space.

Abbie Galvin:

I think it balanced sort of the need to be an urban park and the understanding of its surroundings and its context, with the connection to Country and the sort of response to the Cumberland Plain.

Dr Libby Gallagher:

There was a lot to like about the scheme. I think one of the things that really struck me was the depth of understanding of that place.

Frequently asked questions

Where will Central Park be located?

Central Park will sit in the heart of Bradfield City Centre. It’s a short Metro ride from Western Sydney International Airport and nearby suburbs like Luddenham and St Marys.

Who is designing Central Park? How were they selected?

A 2-stage design competition took place in early 2023. Fifteen entries were received, and five firms were shortlisted for the second stage. An independent jury chose ASPECT Studios for its design, which met the brief to create a world-class park that suits the site’s future urban setting.

What are the features of Central Park?

Central Park will include:

  • wetlands, woodlands, and native grasslands
  • woven play areas
  • integrated art
  • a gathering space and stage for events
  • smart lighting
  • the Sky Ring, which frames Big Sky Country during the day and the stars at night.
What types of plants will feature in Central Park?

Central Park will showcase native trees, plants, and grasses to create a strong landscape structure and support local biodiversity.

When will construction begin?

Construction is set to start immediately after the opening of the Metro.

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