Recent overseas studies have confirmed that proximity to parks is integral and a crucial part of healthy inner-city living.

The Cook + Phillip Park, bounded by College Street, Cathedral Street, Yurong Parkway and Park Street, is an example.

This land was on the outskirts of the early town of Sydney. Its first recorded use was in 1819 when it was a walled convict garden. The garden included a gardener’s lodge but the soil was poor and the garden was abandoned by 1831. The land was left vacant.

In 1832 College Street was built, dividing this area from Hyde Park.

The foundation stone for Sydney’s first Catholic chapel on the north side of the former convict garden was laid in 1821 but the chapel was not completed until 1837. It burnt down in 1864 and work began on the current St Mary’s Cathedral.

The area was dedicated as a park in 1878 when Boomerang Street was constructed along the line of an old walking track. There were two separate parks divided by Boomerang Street; Cook Park on the south-west side and Phillip Park on the north-east. They were named after British explorer Captain James Cook who explored the east coast of Australia in 1770, and the colony’s first governor in 1788 Captain Arthur Phillip.

One of Sydney’s first bowling clubs was built on the College Street frontage of Cook Park in 1880. In 1907 a playground was constructed, which was enlarged to become the Phillip Park Recreation Centre. Sydney Council’s plant nursery moved here from Hyde Park in 1910. In 1962 a Fragrance Garden was added to Phillip Park which catered for the workers at the Industrial Blind Institute which had been built nearby in 1878. The Institute was demolished in 1971 and became the site of current Park Lane Towers apartments.

Cook + Phillip Parks was renamed and saw major redevelopment in 1997 and involved removal of the bowling club and Boomerang Street and construction of a modern swimming pool complex and grey paved concourse in front of the Cathedral.

The new complex was co-designed by architect, Lawrence Nield, of Bligh Voller Nield and landscape architectural firm, Spackman Mossop, and has been subject to construction issues and criticism since opening in 1999.

The aquatic and fitness centre is very popular and incorporates learn to swim classes, aquatics, casual swimming, gym membership, personal training, sport competitions, a fitness centre, sports hall, gymnastics and a café.

Costs

Casual entry $7.70 concession $5.70

Full membership $26.30 fortnightly. Joining fee $37.50

Contacts

Address 4 College Street Sydney NSW 2000

Phone 9326 0444

Website www.cookandphilliip.org.au

Email info@ccp.belgravialeisure.com.au

Opening hours 6am to 10 pm. Most popular hours: 12 noon and 6-7pm