Bicentennial Park is in the shores of Homebush Bay and Parramatta River, and is part of the Sydney Olympic Park Grounds. In the year 2000, Sydney hosted the Olympic games and to prepare for this, a large indoor and outdoor sporting establishment was constructed, including various public areas, athlete accommodation and multifunction centres. Bicentennial Park is included in this large feature, which is now used for other sporting, cultural and arts events that require a large space, and easy public access.
Originally Bicentennial Park was established by both State and Federal Governments for a 1988 opening, to celebrate 200 years of the First Fleet arriving on Australian soil, and colonising a new nation. A great deal of planning and work went into creating this 40 hectare natural heritage site, as the grounds were originally used as a rubbish dump. A local ecosystem in the Parramatta River was preserved, and the entire area was developed to consider sustainability, wildlife, and the natural environment.
Today, visitors are welcome to visit Bicentennial Park, and it is a welcomed stretch of space and natural greenery, located in a sometimes gloomy western suburbs of Sydney. This area of the city is primarily residential and industrial, and the park allows residents from many surrounding suburbs to meet with friends, train for fitness or simply enjoy a well-cared for outdoor environment.
Bicentennial Park offers tours of the area, environmental education programs, and a range of recreation activities for all ages. The park has ample spaces for picnicking, ball games, walks through wetlands, bird watching and a very popular track for cycling. Water features, special monuments and smaller garden areas are also included in Bicentennial Park.
