Forging a community landmark that’s stronger than steel

Open Hearth Park

In December of 1901, the steel mill processed its first order of steel—but just a few years ago, all that was left of this historic plant was a heavily contaminated site and a lot of work to do. When the City of Sydney wanted to reclaim this heritage location and tie the community back together, we won the opportunity to design a shared recreational space that would honor Sydney’s past and enhance the lives of future generations.

When the steel mill and coke ovens closed, the remnants included heavy metals, petroleum hydrocarbons, and coal tar contaminants in three ponds, which discharged into Sydney Harbour. Our job was to supply independent quality assurance services during the five-year, $400 million remediation program. This remediation cleared the way for what is now Open Hearth Park.

Open Hearth Park would have to be flat. That’s what we thought at first. Foundations couldn’t be placed below the cap material, and everything we planned had to respect the layered remediation system. Landforms create visual interest, and a flat park wouldn’t be very interesting. We collaborated with the remediation specialists and structural engineers to reinforce some specific areas, and then we got creative.

By using the abundant local slag (a stony waste separated from metals during the smelting or refining of ore), we created variation and opportunities for growth. For example, we raised planting areas for deciduous and evergreen trees—creating space for root systems to expand and grow. Plus we didn’t have to ship in other materials, so we saved on project costs. Since the slag we used didn’t have to be taken off site, we also reduced the project’s carbon footprint. The new topography provides variety, interest, beauty, and supports a rich mosaic of native vegetation.

Open Hearth Park’s resilient landscape manages stormwater and provides an abundant natural wildlife habitat. With vegetated swales leading to Muggah Creek, stormwater is detained and then shepherded away from the remediated area.

From Indigenous peoples to generations of families whose lives were shaped by the steel plant, this site is steeped in community and history. So we called on local artists to tell the story. We developed a compendium of themes that we shared with the art community. Local artists submitted their interpretation of our ideas, and a local committee reviewed and selected pieces. The result? Sculpture, mosaics, educational signage, and salvaged relics—all of which expressed our design themes, provided context, and celebrated a rich, proud history.