George Kendall Riverside Park

Infobox park
park=George Kendall Riverside Park


image size=350px
caption=George Kendall Riverside Park, facing East
type=Municipal (City of Parramatta)
location=Ermington, New South Wales
size=27.2 hectares
operator=Parramatta City Council

George Kendall Riverside Park is a 27.2 hectare recreational park in Ermington, New South Wales, on the northern bank of the Parramatta River.

The park is named after George Frederick Kendall, an alderman of the Ermington/Rydalmere Municipality from 1944–1948. Parramatta City Council, [http://www.parracity.nsw.gov.au/culture__and__leisure/recreation/parks_and_reserves2/george_kendell_riverside_park "Culture and Leisure: George Kendell Riverside Park"] (accessed 7 January 2008).]

Previous use

During the 1970s, to the chagrin of the local residents, much of the area (then called George Kendall Reserve) was used as a landfill site [Planning Workshop Pty Ltd, "Environmental Impact Statement: Proposed Sanitary Landfill, Spurway Street, Ermington", Parramatta City Council.] . Eventually the operation was decommissioned and the site revegetated.

Landmarks

At its western end, George Kendall Riverside Park features three tall sculptures designed by Melanie El Mir. These artworks "echo the windmills of early Parramatta" [Parramatta City Council, [http://legacy.parracity.nsw.gov.au/publications/teachers-guide/openAir.shtml "Parramatta open-air museum: George Kendell Reserve"] (accessed 7 January 2008).] .

ports

George Kendall Riverside Park is a popular sporting venue. It has the following sports facilities:
*Bike/walking track
*Football (soccer) fields
*Baseball field
*Cricket pitch
*Tennis courts
*Basketball/netball courts (though somewhat dilapidated)

George Kendall Riverside Park is the home ground of Ermington United Soccer Club [Ermington United Soccer Club, [http://www.ermingtonunited.com.au/home_ground.htm "Home Ground"] (accessed 7 January 2008).] .

Amenities

George Kendall Riverside Park is also a popular picnicking venue. It has the following amenities:

*Playgrounds
*Electric BBQs
*Public toilets
*Off-street parking

Flora and Fauna

George Kendall Riverside Park is an important habitat for flora and fauna. The riverside is occupied by mangroves and a saltmarsh with of patch of vulnerable Narrow-leafed Wilsonia ("Wilsonia backhousei"). Elsewhere in the park are the Sydney Peppermint ("Eucalyptus piperita"), Brush Box ("Lophostemon confertus"), Red-stemmed Wattle ("Acacia myrtifolia") and Kangaroo Grass ("Themeda australis"). The park is also home to common weeds such as Farmers Friend (Bidens pilosa) and Purpletop ("Verbena bonariensis"). George Kendall Riverside Park Committee (Nov 2006), "George Kendall Riverside Park Newsletter", Issue 3.]

Numerous bird species either live in or visit the park, including the Grey Butcherbird ("Cracticus torquatus"), White-faced Heron ("Egretta novaehollandiae") and the Laughing Kookaburra ("Dacelo novaeguineae"). The park is also home to common introduced species such as the Indian Myna ("Acridotheres tristis").

George Kendall Riverside Park has a dedicated bushcare group that includes residents and council members who volunteer to regenerate the native bush. Every third Sunday of the month (except in the heat of summer) the group plants native species and removes weeds. New members are welcome. [Parramatta City Council, [http://www.parracity.nsw.gov.au/environment/bushcare_bulletin/volunteer "Bushcare Group Regular Workdays Schedule"] (accessed 7 January 2008).]

References

External links

* [http://www.ermingtonunited.com.au/soccer Ermington United Soccer Club]
* [http://www.parracity.nsw.gov.au/environment/bushcare_bulletin/ Bushcare in Parramatta]