A layered landscape for play, learning and community at Green Square

On-site works are almost complete at Gunyama Playground. It thrilling to see the continued transformation of Green Square, supporting the growing community with a generous and inclusive public open space for play, gathering, learning and connection to Country. 

TCL shaped a landscape vision that brings together playground, parkland, cultural interpretation and civic amenity within one connected public realm. Early design thinking explored how the playground and surrounding landscape could be integrated as a cohesive environment, encouraging movement, discovery and informal gathering throughout the site. A key ambition of the project is to create a cooler, greener and more immersive landscape experience.  

The design increases indigenous vegetation across the site, reduces reliance on hard surfaces and turf, and introduces bush trails and natural materials that build on the successful planting character established in earlier stages of Gunyama Park. 

Guided by local Knowledge Holders and Djinjama, the park is informed by local cultural seasons and a strong connection to place. Six distinct seasons are expressed through the landscape, with colours, plants, materials, spaces and embedded narrative works that carefully reflect different seasonal experiences. As the year changes, different areas of the park will come into focus, allowing the landscape to reveal its stories over time. 

The inclusion of a learning circle further strengthens the park’s role as a place for cultural education, reflection and community gathering. Interpretation is woven seamlessly through the site, supporting a design that is both playful and deeply grounded in Country. 

Photos: @anthonygeernaert 
Collaborators: Djinjama, Aileen Sage Architects, Andrew Burges Architects, Place Design Group, Country Oriented Landscape Architecture  
Construction: Regal Innovations  
Client: City of Sydney