A man will front court accused of a brutal assault on an elderly woman at a suburban park.

The woman, 71, was found with significant injuries by emergency services called to Francis St in Strathfield, Sydney , just after noon on Thursday, police said.

She was treated by paramedics before being taken to Royal Prince Alfred Hospital in a critical condition.

The accused had already left the scene by the time they arrived, police said.

An investigation was launched and detectives made an arrest at a Strathfield home about 8.30am on Friday.

A 52-year-old male was charged with wounding a person with intent to cause grievous bodily harm and common assault.

The pair are not known to each other.

He was refused bail to appear before Burwood Local Court on Friday.

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