Northern Beaches Council has turned an empty thoroughfare into a green, vibrant space. The upgrade to Triangle Park (North) is part of the Dee Why Town Centre Masterplan to build a Town Centre fitting for the beachside community.
Community consultation, via Council’s Your Say page, Council’s E-News and community engagement newsletter showed 95% of submissions supported the proposed upgrades.
“Finally this strange empty space is being improved!” wrote one community member on Council’s Your Say page. “It seemed to have no other purpose than being a walk through, and was very uninviting from the moment it was built. The plans look good – more seating, eating areas & plants. Thank you!”.
The initial proposal for furniture was for Bistro Orange, Shamrock Green and Viper Green Curved Linea Seating and Linea Benches. After community consultation, the green colours were replaced with Aluminium Woodgrain battens in Spotted Gum, for a more natural look. The low maintenance aluminium battens also appealed to the Council.
“The community has welcomed the beautification works, which include new landscaping, a taxi shelter, upgraded paving, improved lighting, and curved linea seating designed to soften the straight lines of the overall design,” says Northern Beaches Mayor Sue Heins.
The Cafe Stools were also changed from Lycra Strip Green to Monument Grey. Curved Linea Seats and Cafe Tables in Bistro Orange add a pop of colour, while being fade and UV resistant. Street Furniture Australia Escola 240L Bin Enclosures and Semi Hoops for bicycle parking were also used in the project.
“Great! This upgrade to triangle park will help to make use of a very underutilised space. It will also provide a much more pleasant outlook for the cafes facing onto this park and likely assist their businesses.” wrote another local on the Your Say page.
By coincidence, the Bistro Orange colour was very similar to the branding colours of a restaurant which opens onto the park.
“People come in and say ‘oh, I didn’t notice you were here’ and we’ve been here for five years,” says Corey Fenson, owner of Stockmans Burgers Beers Desserts.
Foot traffic has seen a notable increase for businesses facing the park.
“After about a month, we noticed people getting takeaway and eating outside in the park. It was a dirty park before. It’s just made us more visible, when they notice how nice the park is, they notice us. It makes us look a bit more luxurious.” says Corey.
Two trees were removed due to poor heath from the park, and five were added, including shrubs and other plants. The lawn was also important to the community.
One local parent wrote, “I like the idea of the seating and table area. My boys love playing football in this park while I have coffee at the local cafes, so glad the grass will be maintained.”
