Parry Park

Why was Parry Park once a garbage dump? Here at Parry Park, the squeak of sneakers on the basketball court and the laughter of children echo through the air. But this lively park holds a secret, buried beneath layers of time. Parry Park wasn’t always a place for recreation. It started as a rather undesirable location. This very ground, where the Alexandria Basketball Stadium now stands, was once a literal garbage tip. Parry Park was named after Alderman Arthur Reginald Horatio Perry JP. He served as the mayor of Alexandria in the 1930s. The land itself has a rich history. During the 19th century, this flat expanse along Shea’s Creek thrived as market gardens. A substantial Chinese community cultivated vegetables here for the Sydney Produce Markets. The 20th century brought a wave of industrialization, transforming the area into a hub of factories and engineering works. By 1943, over 550 companies operated here, producing everything from bricks to airplanes. In 1935, the Alexandria Council acquired 7 acres of land for a park. Ironically, this land initially became a dumping ground. A land swap in 1938 with Australian Window Glass Pty Ltd led to the current location of Parry Park. Even after the swap, the dumping continued. It wasn’t until 1957 that Parry Park started its transformation. It was then just an open, grassy field. The year 1967 marked a turning point. Basketball was introduced, and a decade later, facilities like toilets and changing rooms were added. Today, the City of Sydney Basketball Association holds a perpetual lease on a tenth of Parry Park, housing the Alexandria Basketball Stadium. So, next time you’re enjoying a game or a picnic in Parry Park, remember its unusual origins. From a garbage tip to a sporting hub, Parry Park’s journey reflects the changing landscape of Alexandria.