John Oldham Park and David Carr Memorial Park are located just a stone’s throw from Perth CBD and right next to the very busy Narrows Interchange but when you are in the parks, you don’t feel like you are next to high-traffic roads. These parks seem to be able to shield their visitors from traffic noise.
The 2 parks are part of Narrows Interchange parklands which were constructed on reclaimed land from Mounts Bay more than 60 years ago to build Narrows Bridge and Interchange to connect South Perth to Perth city centre.
John Oldham Park
John Oldham Park, named after the respected Australian landscape architect, is located between the Narrows Interchange exit ramp to Mounts Bay Road and Mounts Bay Road. Access to the park is via Mounts Bay Road. This is a car park in the park.
John Oldham Park features a small lake with a fountain, picturesque gardens with a lot of greenery and shady trees, walking and cycling paths, park benches, a children’s playground, picnic tables, and BBQ facilities. It takes about 15 minutes to walk around the small lake in the park on flat walking paths.
Through the tall and shady trees, you will catch glimpses of Perth CBD buildings. You will be surprised to be so close to Perth city centre. This is a beautiful park that is so easily missed by Perth city office workers who drive past it every day.
Why not have your lunch in this peaceful haven when you have the opportunity?
David Carr Memorial Park
Located adjacent to John Oldham Park and connected by walking paths underneath the Narrows Bridge, David Carr Memorial Park is about the same size as John Oldham Park.
David Carr Memorial Park was named after David Carr, a former commissioner of Town Planning.
The park features 2 small lakes, shared walking and cycling paths, outdoor gym equipment, toilets, park benches, a lot of greenery around the lakes and extends to the Swan River foreshore.
It takes about 15 minutes to walk around the park on flat walking paths. There are 2 underpasses within the park to allow visitors to walk to the Swan River foreshore without having to cross Birdiya Drive that runs through the park.
Don’t forget to sit by the Swan River foreshore benches or grassed area and enjoy the stunning views of the Perth CBD skyline, Elizabeth Quay, the Swan River, as well as South Perth foreshore on the other side of the Swan River connected by Narrows Bridge.
Remarkedly, Narrows Bridge has been working hard for more than 60 years since first opened in 1959. Around 200,000 vehicles cross the bridge a day.
The shared walking and cycling paths connect from Elizabeth Quay to David Carr Memorial Park and John Oldham Park. John Oldham Park has a pedestrian overpass across Mounts Bay Road. For those who are fit and want a personal challenge, you can walk from Elizabeth Quay, through David Carr Memorial Park and John Oldham Park, take the pedestrian overpass and walk to the lower base of Jacob’s Ladder on Mounts Bay Road to climb up to Kings Park.
Want to discover more great walking locations around Perth? Check out the “By the Waters” blogs.
John Oldham Park and David Carr Memorial Park are part of Narrows Interchange parklands which were constructed on reclaimed land from Mounts Bay more than 60 years ago to build Narrows Bridge and Interchange to connect South Perth to Perth city centre.