The Pickle District Streetscape Plan, also known as Pickle Perches, is a long-term vision to transform overlooked verges, streets and public spaces into a greener, safer and more creative public realm. Led by The Pickle District Town Team, the plan proposes a connected network of pocket parks, endemic planting, Miyawaki micro-forests, sculptural seating, gateway artworks and improved pedestrian spaces that reflect the precinct’s identity as a vibrant arts and cultural district. The project aims to bring together nature, art and infrastructure to improve biodiversity, walkability, accessibility, urban cooling and everyday moments of connection.
- Built on The Pickle District’s creative identity as a designated arts precinct known for its quirkiness, innovation, originality and community-led activation.
- Identified the next phase of place improvement, focusing on movement, parking, streetscape quality, pedestrian safety, green space and public realm improvements.
- Undertook community and stakeholder consultation through a Qualtrics survey, door-to-door engagement, community walkshops, verbal feedback, workshops and place audits.
- Worked with key stakeholders including local businesses, landowners, City of Vincent, Department of Transport, Curtin University placemaking students and The Pickle District community.
- Mapped key streetscape issues including illicit parking, lack of shade, inadequate tree canopy, neglected verges, limited seating, poor wayfinding, accessibility gaps, traffic calming needs and graffiti.
- Engaged design expertise to reimagine the urban fabric of the district through the Pickle Perches concept.
- Created a network-based vision for compact pocket parks and green pause points located throughout the precinct.
- Proposed Miyawaki micro-forests using endemic plant species to create dense, resilient planting pockets that support canopy growth, biodiversity and habitat connections.
- Integrated art with ecology by using sculptural elements, seating, colour, planting and gateway artworks as placemaking tools.
- Used visual friction as a safety strategy, with textured, colourful and unexpected streetscape elements designed to encourage slower driving and improve pedestrian safety.
- Identified priority sites including Drummond Place, the Drummond Place and Loftus Street interface, Old Aberdeen Place, Cleaver Street, Golding Street, Simpson Street and freeway threshold locations.
- Planned for staged delivery over five years, beginning with detailed design, stakeholder engagement, funding, partnership agreements and early priority interventions.
- Built in community ownership through ideas such as adopt-a-space programs, business adopt-a-verge opportunities, volunteer maintenance days, youth programs and artist residencies.
- Developed a funding and maintenance approach including City of Vincent partnerships, grants, local business contributions, community fundraising, sponsorships and shared maintenance responsibilities.
Document
The Pickle District Streetscape Improvement Plan
Planning & Momentum
How To Prepare a Place Action Plan v1
Planning & Momentum
How To Prioritise Actions v6
City of Vincent, Department of Transport, Curtin University, local businesses, landowners, local residents, local artists, Perth arts community, incoming developers, Main Roads, RAC Connected Communities, Western Power, Water Corporation, Traditional Owners, Noongar community representatives, community volunteers
