Sydney Council is doing a major upgrade of this park in inner suburb Surry Hills. I have blogged it before. This area was a bit of a wasteland with some degraded grass; now there’s a kids’ playground, and picnic and barbecue facilities.
I’m really looking forward to the re-opening of the pool in late 2011.
Within Sydney Park are several groves of trees which have been planted as a living memorial to those who have died of HIV/AIDS.
From the SPAIDS website:
“Community groups were encouraged to plant Australian native species of trees, and SPAIDS was supported by Council in 1994 at its first planting on 15 May 1994.
“Individuals who were carers of people with HIV/AIDS felt the need for a living memorial to those who had died from the disease, so Council was approached to set aside a section of this new park project for this purpose. Council agreed. At the time the Council was organizing three plantings a year in order to accelerate growth of trees.
“SPAIDS persisted with Council and plantings, and by 2008, SPAIDS had had 33 plantings and planted over 8000 trees and commemorated over 1200 people.”
Sydney City Council has been renovating Prince Alfred Park in the southern city edge suburb of Surry Hills. It has included demolition of the old public swimming pool and construction of a brand new facility. It’s due to open later this year, and I can’t wait!