Kings Park Improvements - Stage 2

Update 5 April 2022

NCA provides dedicated cycle path in Kings Park

The National Capital Authority (NCA) has completed the construction of Stage 2 of the Kings Park Improvements project which aims to evolve the park into a more user-friendly precinct, with a focus on improving users’ experiences and enabling greater public patronage.

The stage 2 works commenced in August 2021 with a portion of Wendouree Drive being closed to cars mid-October. The closed section of road has since been converted to a dedicated cycle path, free of cars and pedestrians.

Cyclists are being encouraged to utilise the wide tree-lined cycle only path which can be accessed from the north near Blundells Cottage or from south at the road closure point. With RG Menzies Walk becoming more popular, cyclists are encouraged to use alternative paths where possible. The asphalt paths in Commonwealth Park and Kings Park offer some alternative routes where there are usually fewer pedestrians.

Kings Park Stage 2 also included relocating parking from the middle of the park to the new car parking area west of Blundells Cottage, additional carparking slots, and bus pick-up and drop-off areas near Blundells Cottage and near Boundless Playground. Further stages of the improvement works are proposed when funding becomes available.

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Update 12 March 2022

A new car park near the Parkes Way underpass west of Blundells Cottage has been completed and is open for public use. It includes a total of 39 car spaces (5 of these accessible), and a coach drop off and pick up bay.

Construction of an accessible pathway to improve mobility and wheelchair access to Blundells Cottage has been completed.

Planting around the car park, walkway and other areas of the project is underway this month and will complete the Kings Park Stage 2 project.

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Update 6 December 2021

From 13 October 2021, the central section of Wendouree Drive was permanently closed to through car traffic. To access the park by car, please see helpful points below in the September update.

The closed section of roadway is for use by cyclists, scooters, and skateboards to reduce numbers of these modes of transport on RG Menzies Walk. Reconfiguration of paths at RG Menzies in Commonwealth Park has been made to redirect cyclist to the asphalt paths.

Update 1 October 2021

Adjustments have had to be made to the permanent closure date of Wendouree Drive.

The new date for closure is now Wednesday 13 October 2021, at which point there will be no through traffic for cars using Wendouree Drive. To access, please see helpful points below in the previous update.

Update 29 September 2021

Wendouree Drive permanent closure for cars from Monday 4 October 2021.

If you are looking to drive to Kings Park after Wendouree Drive closes to cars, here are some helpful points:

• Wendouree Drive is changing and will no longer be a through route for cars.  While the works are underway, the only road access and exit to Kings Park will be at the south-east end via Kings Avenue onto Wendouree Drive.
• If visiting Blundells Cottage, or other sites of interest at the north-west end of Kings Park, parking is available at the Rond Terrace car park, off Parkes Way. 
• When the works are complete, people driving to Kings Park will be able to enter and exit at each end of the park, either from Constitution Avenue or from Kings Avenue. Each end will have its own parking area.

Kings Park Stage 2 works

Stage 1 works in Kings Park were completed in December 2020 and included additional parking spaces close to Boundless Playground.

Stage 2 works will commence on Monday 13 September 2021 and be undertaken over the next few months. The works have been designed to improve cycle and pedestrian safety, address parking shortages near Blundells Cottage and deliver a range of improvements to enhance the overall visitor experience.

The Stage 2 works include:

• Additional parking near Parkes Way underpass near Blundells Cottage
• Relocation of parking from Blundells Cottage to the new parking area
• Closure of the centre section of Wendouree Drive from Blundells Cottage and near Aspen Island to a cycle only path
• Works to assist the redirection of commuter cyclists from RG Menzies Walk to existing asphalt paths (in Commonwealth Park)
• A new dedicated coach drop-off near Blundells Cottage and a coach drop-off at the National Police Memorial
• Additional disabled parking bays located at the new car park near Blundells Cottage (north end of park)
• Improve mobility and wheelchair accessible pathway to Blundells Cottage

Background

From August 2020 to October 2020, the National Capital Authority (NCA) invited community consultation for the draft Kings Park Improvement Strategy Draft Concept Plan. 

The community consultation found there was majority support for:

• more parking
• road closure
• converting Wendouree Drive to a cycle only path
• options for the separation of cyclists and pedestrians

The comments and ideas as outcomes of the community consultation were used to inform the design development and implementation stages

Draft Construction Programs for Stage 2

Key plan areas outlined in red

Wendouree Drive road closure near toilets (south end of Kings Park)

Path realign to divert fast cycle off RG Menzies Walk in Commonwealth Park 

Car park near Blundells Cottage

Coach drop-off near National Police Memorial

Accessible path to Blundells Cottage 

To find out about the closures for this project, please click here.