Michelle Guglielmo Park
A new gathering space close to home
Developed under the Merri-bek City Council’s ongoing ‘A Park Close to Home’ initiative, the previously neglected site on the vibrant Sydney Road in Brunswick presented a valuable opportunity to establish a much-needed community gathering space directly opposite the Brunswick Town Hall. After extensive consultation with local residents, the park was thoughtfully named in memory of Michelle Guglielmo, the esteemed former curator of the Counihan Gallery, who was a cherished and influential figure in the city’s thriving arts and culture community.
Urbania, in collaboration with Merri-bek City Council and GLAS Landscape Architects, successfully delivered a transformative pocket park on Sydney Road in the vibrant heart of Brunswick.
Having secured the project through a competitive tender submission, Urbania expertly constructed the park, bringing to life the vision designed by GLAS Landscape Architects. The design, shaped by extensive community consultation, provides a serene green oasis with inviting spaces for relaxation and connection with nature. Drawing inspiration from the Wurundjeri Woi Wurrung people’s deep connection to Merri Creek and the meaning of Merri-bek—translating to “rocky country”—the park incorporates native plants and materials to honour this rich cultural and environmental heritage.
Previously a barren concrete site, the area was reimagined with 80% of the space transformed into lush gardens through meticulous soil regeneration, offering a refreshing escape from the surrounding urban landscape.
Named in memory of Michelle Guglielmo, the beloved former curator of the Counihan Gallery who passed away in 2006, the park celebrates her passion for the arts and her strong ties to the Brunswick community.
The park is enhanced by captivating artistic features, including a bold patterned shade canopy designed by artist Manda Lane, a vibrant mural by Mike Makatron, and evocative lighting installations by First Nations artist Jenna Lee.
These elements blend culture, reflection, and beauty, establishing the park as a cherished community hub and reflecting Urbania’s commitment to delivering impactful urban projects.
Urbania executed a comprehensive hard and soft landscaping package for the project, transforming the neglected concrete site into a vibrant community space.
Our team managed the full scope of works, beginning with the demolition of the existing concrete hardstand, followed by bulk earthworks and the careful removal of contaminated fill to prepare the site.
We delivered the full scope of civil works, including drainage and electrical installations, to ensure functionality and longevity. Urbania constructed a custom steel shade structure, 130m² of Merbau timber decking, custom laser-cut tree grates, installed sandstone bleacher seating, complemented by recycled cream brick paving and timber seating crafted from reclaimed wharf timber sourced from Melbourne’s Docklands, embedding sustainability into the project.
An automatic irrigation system was installed to support the park’s lush soft landscaping, which included extensive planting of native species and the establishment of turf.
These efforts created a resilient, green oasis that aligns with the project’s vision of honouring Merri-bek’s cultural and environmental heritage while providing a welcoming space for the community.
Contributors
Urbania - Landscape Construction
GLAS Urban - Landscape Architect
ARUP - Lighting Design
OPS Engineers - Engineering Consultants
Manda Lane - Canopy Artwork
