City of Newcastle to open up more green space in heart of the city

An underutilised section of National Park will be transformed into open green space with shaded picnic tables, public amenities and additional trees under a proposal by City of Newcastle.

Community members are being invited to provide feedback on a draft plan for the space, which sits at the northwest corner of Newcastle's largest recreational reserve.

The proposed improvements will open up the space for passive recreation opportunities with new grassed areas, shaded seating and bubblers, as well as bike racks, public toilet amenities, additional trees and a footpath through the park connecting Smith Street to Parry Street and the adjacent basketball courts.

A disused building on the site known as Wal Young House, which has been vacant for many years and is no longer fit for use, will be removed as part of the project before the land is remediated and re-turfed.

City of Newcastle Executive Manager Community and Recreation Lynn Duffy said this is an opportunity to activate an area in one of the city’s largest and oldest sport and recreation precincts.

“National Park is an essential green space in the heart of the city that is valued by the community for passive and active recreation,” Ms Duffy said. 

“The remediation of the Wal Young House site will provide safe public access to the northwest corner of National Park, opening up this area for informal activities while delivering new amenities to enhance the community’s use of the surrounding park and sporting facilities.

“The proposed upgrades will be a valuable addition to what is already on offer in the park precinct and create a safer, more welcoming environment in the heart of our city.”

The demolition of the disused building, scheduled to commence this month, will also provide opportunity for a separate future project to improve traffic management and connectivity for pedestrians and cyclists at the intersection of National Park and Parry streets. 

To view the Draft Landscape and Park Improvement Plan and complete the online survey visit haveyoursay.newcastle.nsw.gov.au/national-park-improvements by 5pm on 2 December.