Cara Djubak
Justin Martin, Milne & Stonehouse, Cheryl Martin
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Canal Road Park
Jamie Eastwood
A Community Hub for Storytelling and Nature Play
Public Art
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Project details
GREYSTANES, NSW | DARUG
2024Client: Cumberland City Council
Artitst: Jamie Eastwood
Photography: Cumberland City CouncilCanal Road Park is a community gathering place that combines Indigenous storytelling, adventurous play, and a deep connection to nature. The revitalised space attracts people of all ages to learn and reflect on First Nations history while encouraging physical activity, social interaction, and fostering creativity through nature-based play.
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Video by Cumberland City Council - Canal Road Park open to public -
Background
The upgrade to Canal Park is part of the NSW Government’s Places to Roam Grant Program and aligns with the Council’s committment to delivering recreational spaces that make it easier for the community to connect, play and stay active. Previously tired and underutilised, the park that has now been transformed into a recreation destination with linked cycling paths.
Inspired by his Indigenous heritage, Jamie Eastwood has integrated First Nations artwork into a series of interactive play elements at the park. The collection includes etched sandstone blocks, carved steppers and balancing logs, a Gunyah (Aboriginal hut), and sandblasted Indigenous motifs on the footpaths. Embedding Darug culture into the landscape to continue Indigenous storytelling, the artworks serve to nurture and connect future generations to Country.
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Tilt Services
Tilt has a strong history of collaboration with First Nations artists, and has a worked together with Jamie on several Indigenous artworks.
Our team closely coordinatated with Jamie to manage the logistics of the project, allowing him to focus on the artistic process and apply his master carving skills to the works. The selection of naturally robust materials of wood and stone, was made for their longevity and low-maintenance qualities, which will allow them to develop a patina over time and blend with the surrounding native environment.
Providing project management, Tilt worked with Cumberland City Council and contractors to manage the requirements for delivering the public artworks. We also sourced and procured the Indigenous play elements from with Play Workshop and provided a range of other services:
- Project Consultation and stakeholder management
- Detailed Design incl. CAD, structural engineering review and certification, construction documentation
- Fabrication incl. shop drawings and procurement
- Installation, site documentation and handover
- Project Management
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Outcome
Canal Road Park is transformed into an engaging playground that invites children and families to gather, play, and learn about Country through the Indigenous artwork. The enduring Darug stories embedded in the play elements will continue to nurture community education and preserve First Nations cultural heritage.
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Media
Media Release – Cumberland City Council
Cumberland City Council advises of upgrades at multiple playgrounds – Australian Leisure Management, 16 January 2025
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“As a Darug Aboriginal artist, it really meant a lot to me to see their genuine respect for Aboriginal Culture throughout our collaboration.
Tilt’s dedication to honouring my cultural heritage made it possible to bring my artistic vision to life in a meaningful way. Their openness to my ideas and focus on inclusivity to all aspects of this project created a welcoming and empowering atmosphere towards my cultural designs.”
Jamie Eastwood, Artist
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