Carolle's Walking Group: Walk No 15 - Balmain/Ballast Point Park

Hi,

A walk in the Park.
We scarcely needed more walking after Ballast Point, so good it was so well presented, well kept, fabulous views, loads of interesting history in one small peninsula spot, a massive overwhelming sculpture and then a little glass case of artefacts to interest strollers.

Indeed, Ballast Point Park was the huge Highlight of our walk today.
I found the following extract, which is a bit romantic but informative nonetheless, plus the link below, all worthwhile. Well worth following up after that visit today.

http://www.shfa.nsw.gov.au/sydney-Our_places_and_projects-Our_projects-Ballast_Point_Park_Walam

Quote: Rachel C who wrote this delightful piece .......

If there's one thing that Sydney does well, it's parks. As a treasure trove of history and nature, Ballast Point Park in Birchgrove is up there with some of Sydney's best.

The 'green-ness' of this park is present in a few different meanings of the word:

Green (newborn)

Ballast Point was only officially rereleased as public property in 2002 and was only opened as a park in 2009 and thus is one of Sydney's newest parks. Its lawns are pristine, the plants are but babes and the only form of graffiti (if you can call it that) is the wall of padlocks, engraved and locked to the wall by lovers and friends. I'd previously only seen such a thing at the Pont des Arts in Paris. Finding something so beautiful glistening in the sun and within a keys throw from my house was a delight.

Green (environmentally friendly):

With a history in crude oil, Ballast Point Park is now working towards a future fuelled by renewable energy.

A trip to this park doubles as a local history lesson, as placards and engravings around Ballast Point explain the sites timeline, from it's Aboriginal origins to its role in European Shipping (from whence it gets its name), to when it housed Menevia House and then the house was turned into a boarding home before falling into disrepair and being demolished. The site was then bought by Texan Oil Company before being sold to Caltex and then finally being released as public territory. Now, the park that played such a big role in Australia's energy has installed eight wind turbines, affixed to artistic structures to power all the lights of the park.

Green (the colour of grass):

Ballast Point Park's grasses are so green and pristine due not only to the newness of the park, but to the carefully carved and easy to follow tracks around the park - tracks that one feels obliged to stick to in respect to the beautiful grounds.

This place is a beautiful find. Aside from the faint chug of ferrys, Ballast Point Park is a peaceful waterside retreat. Perfect for fishing (lots of benches, Horse Shoe life-saver thingys and fishing line disposal points), walking the dog (on leash, you can let it off leash once you reach Mort Bay Park around the corner) or just sitting in the sun on one of their copious park benches, Ballast Point Park is a new love of mine. Also, it smells like rainforest.

(Quote from a review on Yelp )