GRAG Park Upgrade

The ongoing transformation of Chapman Road into a place for people and not just cars is one step closer with the completion of upgrades to the park located beside the Geraldton Regional Art Gallery (GRAG). More here

The long overdue upgrades have turned the underutilised park into a beautiful community meeting space that compliments the historical building. Dating back over 100 years, GRAG Park was the location of the Council Chambers from 1897 and GRAG was the Town Hall from 1907. That changed in 1963 when the seat of local government relocated to its current location at 63 Cathedral Avenue.

IMAGE: Geraldton Town Hall (now GRAG) and Council Chambers (right) before it was demolished in 1969.

The upgrades, that began in mid January 2022, took nine months to complete. Works involved demolishing the aged toilet block (built in 1983) and opening up the space to Carpark Station 4. A new accessible toilet and covered walkway along the Gallery building was built, the footpaths upgraded and areas created to temporarily display public art.

The landscaping was also greatly improved with the planting of twelve trees and the establishment of gardens to showcase the region’s world class wildflowers. 

Construction of the $1.2 million project was undertaken by local contractors GBSC and Parscape landscaping. More here

IMAGES: GRAG Park and building at night

Why was GRAG Park upgraded?

Every year the City allocates funding in the Budget to undertake works to revitalise the City Centre.  Making the area more vibrant will attract more locals and draw in tourists which in turn, may attract new businesses and investment to the area.

The project essentially bookends the Rocks Laneway enabling people to move from GRAG through the CBD and onto the Foreshore though a series of walkways featuring artworks, covered seating areas and meeting places.

Having a park in the heart of the CBD is really something special and will leave a lasting first impression on tourists visiting the Visitor Centre located in the GRAG building.

These long overdue changes will also enable the Art Gallery to overflow into the park on exhibition opening nights and during the day, people can relax in the space before venturing into the City centre and onto the Foreshore via the Rocks Laneway.

Before the upgrade	After the upgrade