Bayview Park, Parramatta River: Historic Canada Bay swim site reopens after 53 year hiatus

A historic Parramatta River swim site has reopened to much fanfare after a 53-year hiatus as parents lauded the spot and the mayor applauded years of tireless work. SEE THE PHOTOS:

Aerial shot of the reopened Bayview Park swim swite. Picture: Supplied

A historic Sydney swim site has reopened to much fanfare after a 53-year hiatus as parents lauded the new local spot and the mayor applauded years of work between stakeholders to ensure cleanliness and safety.

Bayview Park, in the City of Canada Bay council local government area, reopened to swimmers as children, parents and local councillors braved the damp conditions to make the most of the Inner West’s newest swim spot.

After a 53-year closure, and a concerted effort to clean up the river and make the site safe to swim between Canada Bay council, Sydney Water and the Parramatta River Catchment Group, swimmers once again took to the waters.

“It’s amazing to see families bring their children to the river again, enjoying the beach and the beautiful water,” Canada Bay mayor Angelo Tsirekas said.

“The completion of this project is a significant milestone in improving the water quality of the river, and Bayview Park will be the first reopening of a closed swim site in the past six decades.”

A lilo race kicks off the opening of the Bayview Park swim spot on November 13. Picture: Ben Williams

The effort from the three different agencies has made it possible for residents to safely enjoy the river beach for the first time since 1969, and there’s even a daily water quality tracker to keep swimmers fully updated.

“Our older residents have fond memories of taking to the Parramatta River on hot days, and younger residents would have heard the stories of their grandparent’s days,” the mayor said.

“This summer, we are taking these moments out of the old black and white photo albums, and bringing them back to life.”

Canada Bay deputy mayor Stephanie Di Pasqua (middle), mayor Angelo Tsirekas (fifth-right) and Parramatta River Catchment Group chair Mark Drury (second-right) open the swim site alongside other councillors and excited children. Picture: Ben Williams

Swimmers brave the cold on the community opening day of Bayview Park swim site on the Parramatta River in Canada Bay Council on November 13. Picture: Alexi Demetriadi

Local mother-of-two Deborah Metcalf said the local site would make it easier for her little ones to take a dip.

“It’s perfect for us and for others with young children,” she said.

“It’s great, and come summer we can nip down here instead of battling traffic down to Bondi with the kids.”

🏊‍♂️ @CanadaBay mayor Angelo Tsirekas reopens the Bayview Park Parramatta River swim site after a 53-year hiatus 👏 pic.twitter.com/ccNlChOsGX

— Alexi Demetriadi (@ADemetriadi) November 14, 2022

Chair of the river’s catchment group, Mark Drury, said the site reclaimed the fun summer days of old.

“We’re going back to the future and we’re going back to swimming in our river,” he said.

“When I was a boy I used to swim in the Parramatta River. Unfortunately, my children couldn’t swim here, but we’ve been able to now give our grandchildren the things that we had as kids, like this amazing swim site.”

The $700,000 project, funded by the NSW Government’s Places to Swim Program, will also include a netted swim enclosure, an outdoor shower and improved foreshore access.

There’ll be further upgrades next year to parking, picnic facilities and landscaping, as well as an accessible footpath to the foreshore so people of all abilities can access the water.

Bayview Park will join three other swim spots on the Parramatta River, including Cabarita Park Beach and Chiswick Baths, and is part of a larger masterplan to make the river swimmable by 2025.