A draft ten-year plan has been revealed for Callan Park in Sydney’s Inner West, with locals encouraged to provide feedback to guide the development more open space, and improved accessibility and amenity.
This is the park’s first ever draft Plan of Management.
Home to the Bay Run and soon to host a new swim spot, Callan Park provides extensive green space where residents across the Inner West and Greater Sydney can gather, relax, exercise and play.
The importance of Callan Park is growing alongside the population, with just the area five kilometres around Callan Park expected to be home to 415,000 people by 2041.
The draft plan has been shaped by feedback from more than 2,000 people, community groups and other organisations, as part of a survey taken last year.
The draft plan outlines priorities over the next decade including:
- Creating more open space by removing dilapidated buildings and unnecessary roads
- Restoring heritage items and adapting buildings for new uses
- Improving accessibility and vehicle movement within the park to boost pedestrian and cyclist safety
- Exploring new opportunities for cafes, events and community activities
- Caring for the park’s habitat and biodiversity and connecting it to surrounding blue-green corridors
- Recognising Aboriginal people’s ongoing connection to Callan Point and supporting opportunities for connection to Country
- Fostering partnerships with the community to support the park’s revitalisation
In addition to the Plan of Management a draft Access, Movement and Parking Strategy is also being exhibited in response to community feedback to prioritise how people can access, move through and park at Callan Park.
The draft strategy proposes establishing a one-way vehicular loop road, consistent speed limits, improving pedestrian and cycling infrastructure and removing public vehicle access to the foreshore along the Bay Run.
The strategy also considers alternative parking areas to replace existing parking along the foreshore, developing clear wayfinding signage, and improve pedestrian and cycling connections to the surrounding area to help people better navigate the park.
The draft Callan Park Plan of Management and the draft Access, Movement and Parking Strategy will be on exhibition from 25 September to 29 October 2025.
NSW Minister for Planning and Public Spaces, Paul Scully, said that the feedback gathered will be used to take Callan Park to the next level.
“The ten-year plan puts a focus on improving accessibility, delivering more quality open space and exploring opportunities for further activation in the park,” Scully said.
“Callan Park is already a backyard for thousands of people across Sydney and this is an exciting opportunity for the broader community to help us shape its future.”
Greater Sydney Parklands Chief Executive, Joshua French, said that the draft Plan of Management lays out a vision for the park based on what the community wants. They told us that improving how people move around, access and park at the park is a priority so the draft access, movement and parking strategy that’s being co-exhibited accelerates this important aspect.
“This is the next, exciting step for the community to have their say on Callan Park’s future so we can continue to nurture this wonderful asset for the people of Sydney.”
