We are about to commence upgrading the existing Showground and Car Park at Frenchs Forest.

Works are scheduled to commence mid-January and will take approximately 5 months to complete. Works include:

• Drainage works to the showground to ensure all weather access
• Landscaping
• Planting of Trees to the Showground Perimeter
• New bitumen car park
• New showground Perimeter Fence
• New walkways – Including Oval Perimeter Path
• New sandstone Retaining Wall
• Improvements to pedestrian safety and access

Staging of works

To help minimise impact to Frenchs Forest Showground during construction, the works will be delivered in two stages.

Stage 1: Northern end of the showground

January – March 2020

• Temporary loss of casual parking on the eastern side of the showground
• Temporary change to entry points onto the showground
• Dual access points to showground to be maintained

Stage 2: Southern end of showground
March – June 2020

• Remaining casual parking reserved for construction
• Subject to safe access, casual parking will be returned for use during peak periods on weekends during the winter sports season
• Temporary changes to showground entry points
• Dual access points to showground to be maintained

Frequently Asked Questions

How will I be notified about stage 2?

Signage will be onsite providing direction to parking and access points to the showground.

Further notification will be provided prior to the commencement of stage 2 works.

Will I still be able to access the showground with my dog?

Yes, the construction works have been designed to ensure access is maintained at all times.

Where can I park my car during the upgrade works?

During stage 1, parking at the southern end of the showground will be maintained and entry will be via Blackbutts Road only.

In stage 2, the remaining casual parking will be reserved for construction. However, as we approach the winter sports season Council and the contractor will return some of the casual parking during peak periods. Alternatively, parking can be found adjacent the new playground, on Blackbutts Road and opposite the rugby grounds.

Who can I contact if I have any questions regarding the works?

Should you require any further information or assistance regarding this project, please contact me on 9942 2961 or Richard.parry@northernbeaches.nsw.gov.au

Showground area

Returfing works will commence on 29 January 2019 for the entire showground arena. We are expecting the showground will be open for use by the end of February.

Synthetic sports field

Works are progressing on site. The earthworks have been completed and fencing and pathways are being built. The fields are expected to be completed early April, ready for the 2019 winter sports season.

As part of the Glen Street Open Space Masterplan and Dog Off-leash Area Enhancement Program, we will shortly be returfing the showgrounds dog off-leash area.

As we are upgrading Lionel Watts sportsground, the topsoil on fields 3 and 4 will be recycled and spread over the dog off-leash area. New irrigation will be installed and turf laid. Dogs and their owners will have a fabulous green lawn to enjoy.

The works will commence in September 2018 and are expected to be completed by December 2018. While the works are underway, we hope you and your dog will enjoy exploring the Northern Beaches other dog off-leash areas.

For further information please contact Jenny Cronan, Senior Recreation Planner on 1300 434 434.

Council adopted the masterplan on 22 May 2018 with a recommendation that the local community including youth are engaged during designing of the skate park.

View the Council minutes, Item 9.4, page 11

A report to Council on 22 May 2018 will recommend adoption of the masterplan, as revised following public exhibition. The Council report includes information about community engagement on this project as well as a copy of the final masterplan.

View the Council report, Item 9.4, page 103(External link)

View the revised masterplan

If you would like to attend the Council meeting, here are the details:

• Venue: Dee Why Council Chambers
• Date: Tuesday 22 May 2018
• Time: from 6.30pm

If you would like to address the Council on this, or any other matter, please apply online.

Council meeting information(External link)

Should you have any questions about the masterplan, please contact Council's Parks and Recreation team on 1300 434 434.

Thanks for your feedback

Thank you for your feedback on the Glen Street Open Space Masterplan. Council will now commence reviewing all submissions received and will update this page once the submissions have been considered.

Make a submission

Online

In writing to Northern Beaches Council, 725 Pittwater Rd, Dee Why 2099 (please mark attention to ‘Glen Street Open Space Masterplan Public Exhibition’).

You can view the document at Glen Street Library (front counter) or at one of our Customer Service Centres

Join us at one of the drop in sessions at Glen Street Library Meeting Room

• Saturday 3 February, 10am - 12pm
• Tuesday 6 February, 5 - 7pm

For enquiries, call 1300 434 434

Submissions close Sunday 25 February 2018

Draft Masterplan - public exhibition

The draft Glen Street Open Space Masterplan is now on exhibition.

The Masterplan encompasses the significant open space areas of Frenchs Forest Showground and Lionel Watts Reserve, and will include two synthetic playing fields and a new regional, inclusive playground.

Other key features of the draft Masterplan are:

• Increased car parking
• An accessible pathway network including fitness hubs
• Youth facilities including skate area
• Improvements to the off leash dog area – including a small dog area
• Passive recreational space and facilities
• A new cricket net complex containing five lanes
• Improved showground surface including drainage, irrigation and returfing.
• Demolition of the existing Frenchs Forest Showground Pavilion to create the space needed for the regional playground.
• Upgrade and expansion of the clubhouse building (east) between Lionel Watts and the Showground to include the provision of services from showground pavilion.
• The protection and enhancement of the remnant Duffys Forest Endangered Ecological Community along Glen Street
• An extension to the Lionel Watts Community Building (west) to provide more storage and additional meeting space
• Increased tree planting throughout the open space including a new avenue of trees around the showground.

View the draft Open Space Masterplan

Draft masterplan - exhibition in the new year

Thank you to everyone who provided input and has helped Council to develop a draft masterplan for the Glen Street Open Space area.

At the Council meeting on Tuesday 19 December 2017, Council resolved to place the draft masterplan on public exhibition from 19 January 2018.

View the Council agenda(External link) (Item 9.3, page 55)

View the Council minutes(External link) (Item 9.3, page 7)

We are working on finalising the drawings and supporting information for the public exhibition period. This page will be updated with the final information when the public exhibition period starts.

Should you have any comments or questions in the meantime, please contact us on 1300 434 434.

Thank you to everyone who got involved in our initial ideas stage of this masterplan process.

We received over 300 responses to the online survey, we met about 55 people at our two community drop in sessions and held workshops with young people from the House with No Steps and Mimosa Public School to generate ideas for the playground.

Our task now is to take all these ideas and bring you a plan later this year that we think you'll love.

Have your say

We are keen to hear your priorities for informal play in and around the Glen Street Open Space area.

Comments you provide will be used to develop the Glen Street Open Space Masterplan.

How to get involved

• Saturday 5 August 9.30-11:30am
• Wednesday 9 August 3.30-5.30pm

Complete the online survey

If you have any questions please contact the Parks & Recreation Team on 9942 2111

Online survey closed Sunday 13 August 2017

Connecting all through play

As part of the 'Connecting All Through Play' project the Northern Beaches Council is adding to its three existing all-abilities playgrounds located at Collaroy, Manly and Newport, with the creation of two further inclusive play spaces at Manly Dam and Lionel Watts.

The play spaces will be designed to not only be exciting and vibrant but to connect the community, in particular, children to natural areas. The greater accessibility of these major play spaces will enable people of all-abilities to participate in play and reap the benefits of increased physical activity, social interaction and mental stimulation.

Download the information booklet on Connecting All Through Play program

Lionel Watts Reserve is one of the busiest sportsgrounds on the Northern Beaches, and demand for use is increasing. The recent Sportsgrounds Strategy identified a number of Strategies for maximising sportsground availability.

These strategies included:

• Make better use of existing sportsgrounds by looking at bookings and layout
• Convert more sportsfields to synthetic fields.

Following consultation with sporting groups we propose the western half of the reserve will become synthetic fields.

This will provide

• 2 full size 105m x 63m soccer fields
• a junior field 60m x 35m.
• a senior AFL field.

Stormwater harvesting and detention will be included in the design of the synthetic field.

A perimeter fence will be required (similar to the Forestville Melwood Oval fence) to help manage access and prevent damage to the field.

As part of the 2017/2018 Operational Plan

(External link)a number of improvement works are scheduled within the Lionel Watts Reserve, Lionel Watts Playground and Frenchs Forest Show Ground.

These works include

• A new inclusive play space for the Watts Playground, as part of the 'Connecting All Through Play' project
• the conversion of 2 playing fields to synthetic grass surfacing
• improved connectivity throughout the Glen Street area

To ensure that all the works come together to provide the best outcomes we are undergoing a planning process.

Council has contracted Phillips Marler Architects(External link) to lead on the Glen Street Open Space Masterplan.