Neighbourhood Parks Program launched to enhance Blue Mountains recreation spaces

Blue Mountains City Council has advised that it will soon start the first stage of the Neighbourhood Parks Program in which 16 neighbourhood parks across the Blue Mountains will be transformed over the next four years.

The $6.1 million Neighbourhood Parks Program is funded by the NSW Government's Western Sydney Infrastructure Grant (WSIG) program, one of 20 projects Council is undertaking under the WSIG program, designed to revitalise community infrastructure across the Mountains. 

Blue Mountains Mayor Mark Greenhill advised "The Neighbourhood Parks Program underscores our commitment to building inclusive, healthy and vibrant communities and to enhancing community recreational spaces.

"This initiative will not only improve access to nature and open spaces for all members of our community, it will also create new social opportunities, promoting physical and mental health and reducing social isolation.

“The upgrades delivered by the Neighbourhood Parks Program will also help reduce ongoing maintenance requirements and costs.”

Over four years the program will upgrade four parks per year:

• 2024 will see the upgrade of Medlow Park, Medlow Bath; Golden Horizons, Hazelbrook; Buttenshaw Park – Stage 2, Faulconbridge; and Thomas Park, East Blaxland.

• 2025 will see Melrose Park, Katoomba; Wilson Park, Wentworth Falls; Bundah Park, Winmalee and Hall Park, Mount Riverview upgraded.

• In 2026, Bloome Park, Leura; Noble Street Park, Bullaburra; Peninsula Park, Valley Heights, and Lennox Park, Blaxland will undergo upgrades.

• 2027 will see upgrades at Carrington Park, Katoomba; Wilson Park, Lawson; Batman Reserve, Springwood and Douglas Smith Reserve, Glenbrook.

The first phase of the program, which will begin in coming weeks, focuses on community consultation, where Council seeks input from residents to understand their wants and needs for the parks slated for upgrade in 2024. Council will advise when the consultation process commences.

For more information on the Neighbourhood Parks Program go to www.bmcc.nsw.gov.au/major-projects

Fact Box:

Council has 105 various kinds of parks and playgrounds across the Blue Mountains. These parks all serve different purposes and require different equipment and management.

Neighbourhood parks
Neighbourhood parks are open spaces within walking distance of homes, servicing local neighbourhoods and villages. They are not highly developed, but still offer a place for residents and visitors to gather. Many also have unique features such as sculptures, mosaics, heritage play items, historic and cave-like grottos, bike path circuits and bush setting. 

Local parks
Local parks are smaller than a district park. Council has 13 local parks across the Blue Mountains. Most are set in a recreational ‘activity hub’ along with other facilities such as sports ovals, sport courts, skate parks, dog-off leash spaces and toilets.

District parks
District parks are large, high-quality parks that cater to the needs of the broader Blue Mountains community. They offer a wider variety of activities and settings and are often the most popular parks and playgrounds.

Council has four district parks that service the upper and lower mountains – Glenbrook Park, Springwood’s Buttenshaw Park, Wentworth Falls Lake Park and Blackheath Soldiers Memorial Park.

Image from left: Mayor Mark Greenhill, Trish Doyle MP, Member for the Blue Mountains and Councillor Nyree Fisher at Thomas Park in Blaxland to announce the $6.1 million Neighbourhood Parks Program. Credit: Blue Mountains City Council