Howley Park

I decided to visit Howley Park again on the strength of an oil painting artwork of that title. I wanted to find the particular perspective chosen by the artist and to look at the place (and would I have chosen the same perspective). Enough of art. This is a beautiful place, and for me a significant appeal of what is strictly Howley Park West lies in the natural, unordered and rustic sort of charm it has. I am not implying that this is a untouched island of bush on the edge of the bay that has remained unchanged from a time before white colonial arrival. It isn't. However, sitting at the covered picnic table having a packed lunch, or sitting on the two bench seats, or particularly wandering over the uneven grass and sandstone areas (or should that be "exploring" over those areas) one feels pleasantly detached from the surrounding urban environment and it's hustle and - structured - bustle. The views from just about everywhere than the two bench seats are very fine. There is history here and adjacent. There is too much for this brief review, but how many times crossing the Gladesville Bridge by bus have I looked over to here and not thought a moment of times before the Bridge's construction, and of its construction. Adjacent to Howley Park is the place for that; and I also learned from signage of the origin of "Five Dock" with a clear view of one of the docks. To make more of a day of a visit, I would suggest departing Lyons Road, Drummoyne at Moore Street (or if arriving by car because of turn lights, at Gipps Street and parking fairly close to to the top of Gipps Street). However, Gipps Street does not run all the way down to The Esplanade (see below). First enjoy something to eat and drink at some excellent places in the vicinity (my favourite is the Bakery Cafe with delightful food and to-die-for milk shakes, but "Ocean Foods" next door has just won an Inner West award and my Wollongong friend always heads for "White Rabbit"). With maybe a little extra food, walk down to the end of Moore Street and join the "The Esplanade" and the attractive walking path beside the Bay. Heading essentially East, with only an easily followed late deviation, it leads directly to Victoria Place very near to Howley Park. Howley Park will soon be "beautified". I can see, from the concept illustrations, how many will prefer all the changes. The public access to Howley Park East and to the Bay beach (as set out in the plan) will be an excellent addition. However, a little something will be lost too, and a visit here before the "beautication" is recommended. I struggle to see how manicured sandstone blocks (which are prolific and overdone in many "beautified" inner west parks - 46 in just one part of one park in Summer Hill) are here a worthwhile addition to a natural sandstone outcrop of irregularities and patterns that have natural beauty. They perhaps subtract rather than add for mine. Hopefully the current fashion of very busy (eventually jam packed with something - especially equipment/features - for everyone) "generic park" features will not totally replace all the tranquil and unruly (sloped rather than flat, grass rather than concrete, pavers and regimented flower beds, weathered stone rather than squared planed stone) charm to be found at the current place. A sympathetic improvement of access and a retention of park distinctness of the current place (apart from the distinct views of course)? - we'll see.

The place of " 5Dock" how it got its name. Nice little lookout, good views up and down the river, some parking.

Some cool spots for swimming.

Fantastic view of setting sun and in other direction an engineering marvel. The gladsville bridge. Limited parking and you will have to compete for that parking in the evening with many Fisher persons. This is the remainder of the south side abutment of original gladsville bridge along with some natural sandstone fringed waters to the west

A small park with a beautiful view of the Gladesville bridge. Bring a picnic blanket and some food on a sunny day! Parking might be a problem though!