Mcllwaine Park, Rhodes: Opening date for new park as $8.7 million redevelopment complete
A multimillion-dollar transformation has brought the beach to locals in Sydney’s inner west – with a new beach area, discovery rockpools and picnic areas. See when it opens to the public here.
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A park in Sydney’s inner west has been transformed as part of a multimillion-dollar redevelopment.
Mcllwaine Park, in Rhodes, was redeveloped as part of an $8.7 million plan from Canada Bay Council and the NSW Government, offering a new beach area, discovery rockpools, sandstone seawall, picnic shelters, barbecues and more.
Despite the new beach area, the park is currently not a designated swim site.
Canada Bay Deputy Mayor Joseph Cordaro said the park will provide more opportunities for locals to enjoy water sports and activities along the Parramatta River.
“The completion of this project is a significant milestone in delivering new open space and walking connections for our fast-growing Rhodes community,” Cr Corado said.
After construction began in late 2021, Planning Minister Paul Scully said the project would support over 3,700 local homes.
“Opening up public access to the Parramatta River Foreshore is one of our key priorities for Rhodes and we look forward to continuing to work with Council on this vision,” Mr Scully said.
The upgrade also features an accessible pathway to the foreshore areas of the park.
Many Rhodes residents like 46-year-old Chiral Yadava are “super excited” about the park’s drastic makeover.
“I think it’s absolutely beautiful and now we don’t have to go too far, the beach has come to us, we’ve been looking forward to the launch but didn’t think it would be this good,” she said.
“The upgrade has really enhanced the whole feel of living in Rhodes, it’s so close to where we live and gives another reason to get together with locals and spend time with them”.
The park’s new features have also sparked the attention of residents from other suburbs in the council area.
Nicole and her daughter Leila said they were excited to explore the new natural rock pools that incorporate an environmentally friendly seawall.
“We’re from the other side of the LGA, but we would 100 per cent bring the kids for the rock pool, and especially for the kayak launch,” she said.
“Kids don’t always want to go in the water, Leila is scared of the waves so this sand area is perfect, we don’t often come to Rhodes but now we will”.
Raha and her son Arya are also among the locals excited about the park’s upgrade.
“It’s great for having an event here or the kids’ birthdays. Our nearest beach is about 30 minutes away, so this is a great alternative,” she said.
The reopening of McIlwaine Park will be on Saturday November 18 from 10am–1pm.
Families are invited to enjoy a free barbecue, live music and kid’s entertainment. A free event shuttle bus will also operate in a loop stopping at the Connection, Rhodes Waterside, and McIlwaine Park approximately every 20 minutes from 9:40am–1:20pm.
The City of Canada Bay also plans to upgrade the amenities and children’s playground at the park in 2024 to support the new foreshore upgrades.
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