Kangaroo Point Park

The sign at the entrance to the new Kangaroo Point Park tells of a gift to the people from the Government. Let us put aside the question of whether the people should be grateful for their Government’s generosity (is the provision of public parks not the duty of the state?) and just note that a good deed has been done. It’s not often that buildings make way for park. And sitting high on the Kangaroo Point cliffs the former South Bank TAFE site could not have been a more splendid location to benefit from new (and increasingly valuable) public open space.

This park is not very large (just under a hectare) but is packed with features: BBQs and picnic tables, viewing areas, public artworks cum kids climbing frames, lawns, an amphitheatre, walking paths and a small café. If anything this makes the space a tad busy as it tries to be all things to all people.

Busy too are the materials and colours chosen. Feature block walls in orange and cream check, like battenburg cake, are an odd choice. Unpainted steelwork abounds, including arbour structures the newness of which will later be softened as their climbing plants mature. High concrete steps forming the amphitheatre, closer to the street, are purple. The snake-like sculptures along the picnic edge of the space are playful and multi-coloured, as is the mobile phone tower (now a feature looking like it’s supposed to be there, instead of being a quasi-heritage element from the site’s past).

A few other design details are questionable, such as the kiosk building which turns it’s worst side to the best city view, and includes public amenities which arguably do not present an open and contemporary design.

But despite these points, all is well. For this park is not a botanical garden or a stylish modernist landscape. It is a park for people, a people’s place, and this is likely to be its essence and its success.

The views are superb. They mirror the stunning river and city views also found further along the cliffs on River Terrace, but then better them by adding a vista back to the Kangaroo Point cliffs themselves. Turning away from the river to the south, one can look down over Wooloongabba to the green hills of Mt Gravatt and Toohey Forest beyond. And revealing a perspective, access and light to St Mary’s Church next door is a wonderful bonus.

A great feature of the park is that the views can be enjoyed from several alcove-like viewpoints off the main path, rather than a large communal viewing platform, allowing a surprisingly peaceful and private viewing experience in what is otherwise an active and compact place.

Kangaroo Point Park then is not just an addition of 10 000m2 of outdoor space, it is a new gathering point for the people. A place, like Mt Cootha perhaps, to experience in common. To be part of everyone’s Brisbane, a memorable place. And to cook some snags, enjoy a coffee or do a work-out. A well-chosen gift right enough.