Duck River Nature Trail

Grab your walking shoes, hop on your bike, round up the kids, and fetch the dog, Stage 1 of the Duck River Nature Trail is now open for all to enjoy.

The community contributed to the design of Silverwater Park (Stage 1 of the Duck River Nature Trail) when the project was on public exhibition in late-2024, with construction starting in March this year. Officially opened on 10 October, the upgrades make Silverwater Park more accessible, providing the community with safer walking and riding, and more opportunities to take-in views of the river.

The 450m separated pedestrian and cyclist path leads visitors around and through the park, providing a better connection between Silverwater Bridge, and the Parramatta foreshore paths. The path also has new LED lighting, helping people make more use of the park, particularly in winter.

For riders, new bike racks are provided, along with a deluxe bike maintenance stand and tools to help with tune-ups and simple repairs.

People and pooches can also re-hydrate at the new water fountain – as well as a bubbler – there’s an integrated dog water bowl at the base.

Silverwater Park has also become much greener. Turf has been re-laid, there are 11 new trees (which when mature will provide cooling shade), additional landscaping and new native garden beds.

Stage 1 Silverwater Park will also connect to the future stages of the Duck River Nature Trail that will start at Picken Street, Silverwater.

When complete, the three-stage $28.1 million Duck River Nature Trail will deliver 4km of off-road walking and cycling paths, raised boardwalks, and bridges. The project will provide the community with greater access to the river, unlock unique natural areas, and showcase a rich cultural heritage for everyone to enjoy.

At its meeting on Monday 8 September, Council approved a refined concept design for the sections of Stage 2 located on Picken Street, Blaxland Street and Junction Street, Silverwater to proceed to construction. Following community consultation in February 2025, the project team has refined the design proposed on other streets to reflect feedback from businesses and the community. Around 500 metres of the nature trail will move from these local streets to the river foreshore allowing for more on-street parking spaces to be retained. The draft design for this additional section of foreshore route will be exhibited for public feedback as part of the exhibition of Stage 3. Learn more here. (See reports of Council Officers 9.5)

We’re excited by the changes taking place in Silverwater Park. Since late-March contractors have been in a sprint to create stage one of the three-stage 4.5km Duck River Nature Trail. Despite the wet and windy weather, there has been excellent progress.

So far, 200m of the 450m x 4.5m wide share path has been excavated and set – using 110 cubic metres of concrete and 900 square metres of reinforcing mesh.

The path will connect Wilson Park and Clyde Street with separate walking and cycling paths creating more accessible room for everyone and giving people the space to move at their leisure to safely enjoy the park.

While construction work will continue for around three more months, contractors have created a large piece of the path, installed lighting, bicycle parking and a deluxe bike repair station with tools. Tree planting and landscaping has also begun. Silverwater Park is expected to open at the end of September.

Work on Council’s ambitious three-stage Duck River Nature Trail project is taking shape, with Stage 1 construction works underway.

Focussed on Silverwater Park, construction works will mean that the path leading from Silverwater Road into Silverwater Park will be temporarily closed – note the paths on both sides of Silverwater Bridge will remain open.

Pedestrians and Cyclists will need to use the signposted detour for one week from 19 to 27 May 2025.

Work to date has included locating and marking out underground utilities, establishing the location for eleven new trees, and excavating the pedestrian and cycling paths in preparation for the concrete pour.

Early works for the installation of new light poles has begun, while the accessible drinking station with dog bowl, and the bike rack have been installed. Pease view the attached document for progress photos.

Once all three stages are complete, the cyclist and pedestrian path will link to other popular paths including the M4 Shared Path. The community will be able to enjoy walking and cycling along both sides of the river taking in the saltmarsh and mangrove vegetation which acts as a unique habitat for a variety of native birds and animals.

The upgraded park is expected to open to the public in September (subject to site conditions and weather).

The $28.5 Duck River Nature Trail project is proudly funded by the NSW Government in association with City of Parramatta.

The City of Parramatta will soon be commencing construction of Phase 1 of the Duck River Nature Trail within Silverwater Park, Silverwater. This Western Sydney Infrastructure Grant project includes replacement of the existing 2.5m wide shared path with a new 4.5m wide path, line-marking, pathway lighting, bicycle parking, a water fountain, bike repair station and landscaping throughout.

Work is scheduled to start during the week commencing 31 March 2025 and will take approximately 14 weeks to complete, subject to weather. Work will generally take place Monday to Friday from 7am to 6pm and 8am to 1pm on Saturday.