Darwin's Richardson Park redeveloped into community sporting and recreational facility

The Northern Territory Government is opening the newly redeveloped Richardson Park, following a $7.1 million project that has turned the ageing local park into a community sporting and recreational facility boasting two brand new multi-purpose sports fields, one with removable goal posts.

Richardson Park has a long history associated with Rugby League. Discussions are underway with local rugby peak bodies to make the rugby fields the primary training ground of two local sporting clubs, with the intent to give Brothers and Dragons Rugby League Clubs priority as they were previously based at Richardson Park.

The sporting grounds will also be available for hire by other sporting groups for training and or other activities such as sign on days, school sports days and boot camps.

Works on development to date include:

• development of two new rugby playing fields

• Multiple grassed family areas, picnic shelters and new trees

• earthworks and stormwater drainage

• services including electrical, water, sewer, telecommunications and CCTV cameras;

• a serviced site for the new ablution block and change room facilities; and

• a new road to Ludmilla School via Richardson Drive.

This multi-million dollar investment is just one of many upgrades to local sporting infrastructure by the NT Government, including the Tracey Village redevelopment, change room upgrades at Palmerston Raiders Rugby League Club and a $9 million Purkiss Reserve upgrade in Tennant Creek.

The Ludmilla School community and families have also benefited from this project, with a new access road opened recently to the School via Richardson Drive alongside a kiss n go carpark.

Moving forward, a $1.4 million construction tender has been awarded to local Territory business Jaytex Constructions to build the ablutions facilities, change rooms, storage and undercover areas as well as exercise and playground equipment.

The project acknowledges Richardson Park’s long history associated with Rugby League in the concept designs and honours memorials of significance at the site.

These works are expected to be completed by late 2024 and will mark the final project for the Richardson Park community space project. To learn more about this project head to dipl.nt.gov.au/projects/richardson-park-community-space.

Images. Credit: Eva Lawler MLA: Member for Drysdale