What was once a forgotten stretch under the M4 Motorway is now a bustling new meeting point for Granville’s youth—and their neighbours. The Junction Street Plaza, a $1.4 million transformation of 1,000 square metres of unused space, opened to the public this week with a focus on activity, inclusion, and smart urban use.
Tucked beneath the thrum of a major Sydney motorway, the Plaza offers parkour stations, basketball hoops, a skating area, and even table tennis facilities—all geared towards keeping young people engaged and active. But it’s not fenced off for teens alone. Locals of all ages are welcome to shoot hoops, pull off kickflips, or simply take a breath beneath the underpass.
City of Parramatta Lord Mayor Cr Martin Zaiter said the space was shaped by input from residents and designed with a community-first lens.
“Parramatta is a growing global City where the young people of today and tomorrow can access a range of public spaces that support their growth and hobbies,” he said at the launch.
“I’m proud to say that Junction Street Plaza is up there with some of the best urban parks around the world, providing a unique activity zone for teens and young adults.”
The project was backed by the NSW Government’s 2021/22 Places to Play Program, which has so far allocated over $16 million towards public space upgrades across the state. The aim is to improve access to outdoor areas for people of all ages and physical abilities.
Paul Scully, Minister for Planning and Public Spaces, said Granville’s Plaza is a prime example of what’s possible with a bit of imagination and support.
“This exciting project has breathed new life into a previously underutilised area beneath the M4 Motorway to transform it into an impressive new recreational space,” Scully said.
“Junction Street Plaza has something for everyone and will be a hub for the community as the city grows.”
The Plaza is also visually striking. Bright murals add energy to the concrete structure above, while newly planted garden beds soften the industrial edges. Cr Zaiter highlighted that every design element was planned with the community in mind.
“Every piece of this space has been carefully planned to create a place our residents can call their own, from the sporting activities, vibrant artwork to the gardens,” he said.
There’s a broader context here too. As apartment living becomes more common across Sydney, the demand for accessible, versatile outdoor space is growing. Junction Street Plaza ticks that box. It’s close to homes, open daily, and purpose-built for movement in all its forms—from dancing to skating to simply walking the dog.
What sets the site apart, however, is its placement. Rather than carving out new land or clearing green areas, this project reimagines space that was already there—but largely forgotten. That kind of efficiency could serve as a model for other dense urban centres.
While today’s opening ceremony brought out the cameras and local politicians, the real test begins now. Will Granville’s residents turn it into a true hangout? Judging by early reactions and foot traffic, the Plaza is off to a solid start.
There’s no guarantee that every park built under a motorway will succeed. But with Junction Street Plaza, the City of Parramatta and the NSW Government are making a case for looking up—and looking under—when it comes to building community space.
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🏗️ Sydney’s Granville unveils Junction Street Plaza, a £1.4M revamp under M4 Motorway. 🎉 Features parkour, basketball & skating for youth & locals. 🌿 Funded by NSW’s Places to Play Programme. #TheIndianSunhttps://t.co/y6M1P0WEa3
— The Indian Sun (@The_Indian_Sun) April 11, 2025
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