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Back in August of 2025, the NSW Government’s plans to open a Scandi-coded swimming spot in Callan Park (along the beloved Bay Run) were revealed, and residents of Sydney’s Inner West went wild. Now, we’ve got updates – with a full 10 year plan for the harbourside park now out in the open.
The newly finalised Callan Park Plan of Management 2026–2036 lays out an ambitious vision for the 61-hectare pocket, promising more open green space, better access and – you guessed it – that fabled harbour swim spot.
Let’s start with the headline act: tidal baths are officially on the way, with an expected opening in summer 2026–27. Paired with upgrades along the ever-busy Bay Run (currently clocking around 5,000 daily users), this stretch of Sydney Harbour’s foreshore is on track to become an even bigger drawcard for runners, walkers and sunset enthusiasts.
But it’s not just about the water. The plan also includes the removal of nine derelict buildings, freeing up 1.6 hectares of fresh open space – aka: more room to picnic and play. Elsewhere, an old Repatriation Ward is being reimagined as a new community sports facility, and there’s even talk of a potential café down the track.
A big focus of the plan is unlocking parts of the park that have been off-limits or underused, opening them up to the more than 2.4 million people who visit each year. With the population within five kilometres of the park expected to hit 415,000 by 2041 (according to government modelling), that extra breathing room is going to matter.
According to the NSW Government, the plan has been shaped by more than 3,500 locals, community groups and organisations, alongside input from heritage experts, First Nations stakeholders and sporting groups. The result is a roadmap that aims to balance activation with preservation – protecting the park’s biodiversity and heritage, while making it more usable for everyday Sydneysiders.
There’s also a sustainability angle baked in, with long-term funding models and environmental priorities designed to future-proof the space. Plus, proposed legislation aims to lock in protections that prevent any part of the park from being sold off – safeguarding it for generations to come.
In short: more space, better access, a special new swim spot and – all going well – a new waterfront coffee stop.