Callan Park is part of Greater Sydney Parklands, which also manages some of Sydney’s most iconic parks: Centennial Parklands (including Moore Park and Queens Park), Western Sydney Parklands, Parramatta Park, and Fernhill Estate.
Combined, Greater Sydney Parklands oversees more than 6000 hectares of parklands across Sydney and hosts over 40 million visits each year.
Within Callan Park, Greater Sydney Parklands manages 38 hectares of the 61-hectare site, including the waterfront and central park areas (see Callan Park Management Precincts map (PDF 2.3MB)).
A draft Landscape Structure Plan (LSP), proposing a series of improvements to Callan Park, was publicly exhibited between 20 July and 14 September 2020.
Over 1900 responses were received from individuals, organisations and government agencies. The feedback has informed the final LSP and several key changes have been made based on feedback including:
- providing an accessible amenities block at Waterfront Green servicing Waterfront Green, Glover Street Sporting Ground and the Bay Run as part of Stage 1 upgrades
- changes to vehicle access including retention of vehicle access to Military Drive, a ‘kiss n ride’ drop off area, new disabled parking near building 497, and 90-degree shoulder parking on the eastern side of Wharf Road
- building a new pathway from Wharf Road to the Bay Run, which will provide access to the new amenities and connect the new carpark with the Bay Run
- providing new pathway lighting, seating, and picnic facilities as part of Waterfront Green upgrade
- preparing a Companion Animals Management Plan in consultation with the community and Inner West Council in early 2021.
The LSP has been endorsed by the Minister for Planning and Public Spaces as the blueprint for the park’s transformation, ensuring the unique heritage and picturesque waterfront setting of Callan Park is celebrated and enhanced. Further community engagement will be included in the next phase of planning and design of works to achieve this transformation.
You can view the final LSP and read a summary of community feedback and how it informed the final LSP on the Callan Park Landscape Structure Plan webpage.
Callan Park is the site of the former Rozelle Psychiatric Hospital which closed in 2008. The park continues to host a range of health, tertiary education and not-for-profit community purposes together with tranquil green spaces and heritage buildings. Activities in Callan Park are determined by the Callan Park (Special Provisions) Act 2002 which prohibits commercial activities and provides ongoing community access to the park.
Sporting grounds in Callan Park
Inner West Council manages Callan Park's Balmain Road, Glover Street and Waterfront Drive sporting grounds and their associated buildings, B499 toilets (the Pavilion), B498 (Air Raid Shelter), B504 (Refugee Centre), B696 (Public Toilet Block) and B703 (Electrical Store), under a 10-year lease with the Health Administration Corporation. The lease also allows community and sporting clubs to use the sporting grounds.
You can view the Inner West Council lease boundaries in the boundaries map (PDF 573KB).
COVID-19 update
Safeguarding the health and safety of our staff and visitors is our priority and we are following advice from state and federal governments to help slow the spread of COVID-19.
To protect the health of staff and park visitors no bookings for events or activities will be taken until further notice. We ask you to practice social distancing while visiting Callan Park and follow government and health advice on public gatherings. For up-to-date information on COVID-19 please visit the NSW Government website.
Getting to Callan Park
The main vehicle entries to Callan Park are from Balmain Road into Wharf Road, and gate A from Balmain road opposite Cecily Street.
Callan Park is easy to reach on public transport – see Transport for NSW.
Callan Park map
The map below shows entry points, street names, and the location of government and non-government organisations, sporting grounds and amenities.
To view a larger map, please click on the map image (PDF 2.1MB).
Dogs in Callan Park
The Companion Animals Act which stipulates that dogs must be leashed in public places and sets a maximum of 4 dogs per owner (or person in charge) in public places, has applied to all accessible areas of Callan Park, including its open space and foreshores, since the Act’s introduction in 1998. Inner West Council, as the relevant local authority, is the body responsible for administering this Act in Callan Park.
Designated off-leash areas in Callan Park are restricted to the 3 sporting grounds when organised sporting activities are not taking place and following the Council off-leash maps. See signage at each sporting ground for more information.
Activities, events and ceremonies in Callan Park
Private non-commercial and non-for-profit community events and ceremonies in Callan Park will be considered on application.
You can complete the application form (DOCX 71KB) and email it to callan.park@environment.nsw.gov.au.
Commercial activities are not permitted within Callan Park, under the Callan Park (Special Provisions) Act 2002.
For further information about activities and events in the park, you can:
- download the full conditions of use of Callan Park general grounds (DOCX 54KB)
- read the Guidelines for activities and events in Callan Park, below