People's Loop FAQs

No, car parking is single storey and has been designed to blend in with the park’s heritage landscape.

The construction of a new car parking area (54 car spaces) in the south-west corner of the Park adjacent to the railway line is set back from Park Avenue with a landscape buffer to the street, and retains existing significant trees. The carpark consists of a looped asphalt drive and crushed granite car parking bays similar to elsewhere in the Park. It is accessible off Park Avenue.

There will also be new car parking bays for park users accessed from Park Avenue, between Queens Road Gatehouse and Coleman Oval. These will continue the existing parking along the street, including those spaces recently constructed by council. A total of 35 parking spaces will be located between stands of existing mature trees and will allow for pedestrian entry points into the park from Westmead and reduce boundary fencing which currently restricts park access.

Underground car parks are expensive to build, operate and maintain. With the funds available, we believe the current design will deliver the greatest benefit to the community.

The plans for the stage one car parking facilities follow the Master Plan, which establishes the principles around circulation in the Park, known as the People’s Loop. This strategy approaches circulation in the park holistically and has intentionally consolidated car parking around the edges of the park to reduce conflicts within the park between vehicles and other users.

West Domain is one of the most used areas of Parramatta Park and it is important access to car parking is provided. The new car parking facilities replace the spaces that will be removed on the internal road in future stages.

In 2014, in response to concerns of growing conflict between pedestrians, cyclists and vehicles, Parramatta Park Trust commissioned consultants McGregor Coxall and GTA Consultants to provide recommendations for access and circulation improvements in the Park. Their analysis informed development of the People’s Loop concept, which was subsequently placed on exhibition during a public consultation period in late 2015.

Detailed design of the car parking has been supported by traffic analysis undertaken in 2021, involving traffic counts along Park Avenue. The car parking will be designed to comply with the relevant Australian Standards based on predicted traffic volumes along Park Avenue. The volume of traffic along Park Avenue is expected to be within normal operating conditions for a quiet residential street.

Access to the new car parking area (54 spaces) in the south-west corner of the Park will be off Park Avenue.

There will also be new car parking bays (35 spaces) for park users accessed from Park Avenue, between Queens Road Gatehouse and Coleman Oval, which will continue the existing parking along the street, including those spaces recently constructed by council.

During construction, pedestrian access into the Park from Park Avenue will remain open in multiple locations. Temporary detour routes will be required as construction progresses and the locations of these may change. New and improved pedestrian paths into the park will be constructed as part of the current works.

During construction, this entry will temporarily be closed so it can be upgraded. Following construction, the entry will re-open to general traffic. 

During future stages of the project, it is intended to be closed off permanently with the removal of vehicles from West Domain Avenue, in keeping with the People’s Loop strategy.

Our parking strategy has been specifically designed to ensure spaces are available for park visitors.

Visitors can enjoy two hours free parking Monday to Friday in the West Domain car park – this is consistent with the rest of the park. A ticket is required for two hours free parking in the West Domain car park.

After two hours, people can choose to pay by the hour at a cost of $3 per hour or purchase an all-day ticket for $10. Parking will be free on weekends and after 4pm Monday-Friday. 

The same $3 per hour fee will also apply to the 35 parking bays along Park Ave.

The Landscape Master Plan will ensure most existing trees across the site are retained and protected. The updated carpark design balances community feedback to keep as many trees as possible while still providing carparking facilities. We have reduced the car spaces in the southern carpark from 79 to 54, and from 44 spaces to 35 spaces along Park Avenue to ensure the maximum number of trees can stay and there are enough car spaces for visitors.

Approximately 28 trees still need to be removed to accommodate the spaces. We are prioritising removing lower quality or juvenile trees over larger, healthier trees.

We are preserving the continuous band of trees along Park Avenue; and ensuring space is afforded to significant trees such as the Moreton Bay Fig which is being retained in the southern carpark.

All existing trees to be retained will be carefully protected during the works and an arborist will be engaged to manage tree protection and advise on ongoing tree management.

All 170 trees to be planted will be mature native trees.

We have delayed part of the construction until the Parramatta Light Rail is complete to minimise the impact of construction works on residents. We are working closely with them on a timeline and will advise affected residents.

We are mindful of inconveniencing residents and has worked closely with City of Parramatta and Parramatta Light Rail to develop a traffic management plan to minimise disruptions during construction.

We will need to temporarily close the southbound lane of Park Avenue at various times until the works are complete, but this work will be completed during off peak times. Park Avenue will still have two-way traffic under the control of trained and licensed traffic controllers.  Heavy vehicle deliveries of materials and equipment for the works will be via Queens Rd Gatehouse during off-peak periods.

In the short term, Long Avenue will remain vehicle free. Longer term when West Domain Avenue is closed to traffic, the intention is to re-route vehicles along Long Avenue in keeping with the People’s Loop strategy.

Anyone requiring more information on the project can call 02 9895 7500 to arrange to speak with a member of the project team.

The community can also register for regular project updates at: parrapark.com.au/the-peoples-loop