Game on! Denman Village Park’s new chapter is taking shape
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Already a much-loved hub for play, kids’ parties and neighbourhood connection, Denman Village Park is now preparing to raise the bar with a major new section designed to bring even more of the community together.
The first stage has become a lively fun space that draws families from near and far – and for Capital Estate Developments Project Manager Daniel Roy, that same attention to detail, community consultation and thoughtfulness will ensure the success of what is to come.
The ambitious final stage of the 1.5-hectare park includes a major new collection of spaces for older children, teenagers and adults, while giving younger families even more reasons to make a day of it. Together, the two stages are set to create a true all-ages destination at the heart of Denman Prospect.
While anyone with young children will no doubt be familiar with the expansive, state-of-the-art outdoor astronomy-themed playground, which opened in 2024, the new section is set to make it a destination for every generation.
A full-size, fenced multi-use court will accommodate basketball and soccer, complete with a hit-up wall. A dual-use badminton and pickleball court with an adjustable net will sit alongside two enclosed cricket nets, an outdoor gym and a large irrigated kickabout field providing an impressive line-up designed for everything from casual after-school games to active weekends with friends.
“The current park really caters for younger kids,” Daniel says. “But we know there is a lack of play areas for teens across Canberra. Stage two has been designed to fill that gap while still giving every age group something to enjoy.”
“Like everything here, the courts will always be open for public use,” he says, noting the co-location of the entire development next to a shopping centre and car park has also been a winning combination for parents.
“It feels incredible to be part of,” Daniel says of the project. The vision the Airport Group had for the development has been community-focused from the start. They genuinely care about delivering for the community and leaving a legacy.”
And while they expect to see an older crowd come and bond with the space, younger visitors will not miss out. A learn-to-ride facility will create a miniature streetscape where children can build confidence on wheels and practise road rules in a safe environment.
“It is like a little town,” Daniel says. “This is a dedicated spot where it’s safe for children to learn how to ride.”
A contained playground for children under five will offer a simpler, nostalgic style of play with swings and slides. New brick shelters, barbecues, water fountains and picnic settings will make the area an easy choice for celebrations, catch-ups and long weekend afternoons.
Meanwhile, the Cravens Creek corridor will provide a connection to nature with paths linking each activity zone, allowing visitors to move directly through the precinct or slow down and explore.
They are building a pump track with shelter and picnic tables to cater for beginners and intermediate local riders to help prepare them for Stromlo Forest Park next door.
Across the creek and ponds, layered planting, sandstone elements, gentle slopes and a small jetty will create a softer, more immersive landscape. The aim is to make the water a centrepiece rather than a boundary.
“We want people to be able to get as close to the water as possible,” Daniel explains. “You will be able to step off the main track and wander down to the small jetty area where you can sit right beside the water. It is always nice having that connection to water. This is not something you often see in suburban areas of Canberra.”
The project will also continue the Cravens Creek Cultural Trail, developed in consultation with local Indigenous people. Its sequence of nodes uses art, stories, structures, native planting and places for reflection to celebrate local Indigenous culture and encourage a deeper connection with Country.
When complete in 2028, the final stage will bookend Denman Village Park and bring play, sport, fitness, nature and culture together in one connected destination. Daniel says there will be minimal disruption to the existing amenities for families.
And this is not the end of Denman Prospect’s open-space story. A future nature-play park is also planned for Denman North, extending a network of neighbourhood spaces shaped around the way the community actually lives.
For more information on the project visit denmanprospect.com.au
