Spalding Renewal Project - AMC Park Revitalisation
The AMC Park Revitalisation project is focused on making Spalding, a suburb in Geraldton’s north-eastern corridor, a more vibrant and resident-focused place. With an upgraded community centre, integrated artworks, waterplay feature, flying fox, sports court, adventure playground, yarning circle, bush tucker garden and more, the project’s inclusive co-design process has resulted in fit-for-purpose outcomes.
The AMC Park upgrades form the second stage to be delivered of the broader Spalding Renewal Project, which began in 2017 when the City of Greater Geraldton partnered with the Department of Communities. The broader project involves refurbishing older public housing properties in the area and creating new road connections to make it easier for community members to access the Mitchell Street Community Centre.
The project’s inclusive design process included co-design sessions with a class of Year 6 students from nearby Bluff Point Primary School. Photo credit: UDLA
The Geraldton Spalding Urban Renewal Project has been underpinned by an inclusive design process that has included ongoing engagement with a Community Reference Group, co-design sessions with a class of Year 6 students and two-way feedback with the City of Greater Geraldton and the Department of Communities.
The project’s multifaceted engagement process led to the identification of high-level recommendations of the precinct plan into the AMC Park Masterplan. The plan involved the creation of new road connections to the park and significantly changed how the public open space and community centre are used.
Discussions with community members during the project’s process identified a clear desire for the inclusion of artworks to respectfully convey local stories, with a focus on Yamatji Cultural Knowledge. Artworks have subsequentially been integrated into the overall landscape in three ways; as sandblasted art into the pathways, as a metagraphic on the multi-use court and as painted surfaces on log furniture – the designs for which were created by local school kids.
Completed in 2024, AMC Park is now defined by a series of culturally-inclusive spaces, upgraded facilities, and an expanded playground that’s better connected to the community centre in the heart of Spalding.
Details:
Client: City of Greater Geraldton (CGG), with funding by CGG, Department of Communities & Lotterywest
Aboriginal Country: Yamatji Country
Location: Jambinu (Geraldton, WA)
Dates: 2022 - 2024
Landscape Architect: UDLA
Collaborators: Community of Spalding, Stantec, 3E (Electrical Engineer & Lighting), Teakle & Lalor (Building Renovation Design), Hydroplan (Irrigation Design), Acor, HW&A, Yamaji Arts
Artists: Sara Walker (multi-use court), Kyra Johnson (pathways)
