Blackheath Soldiers Memorial Park
A brand new toilet block and a fully accessible pathway have been constructed at Blackheath Soldiers Memorial Park, making it easier for everyone in the community to use the park.
New toilet block now open
Monday, 3 April 2023
We are excited to announce that the new toilet block at Blackheath Soldiers Memorial Park is now open, ahead of Easter and the school holidays.
However, due to unavoidable supply issues, a temporary gate and lock system (so the building can be secured at night) has been put in place while we await the metal screens which will complete the project.
The permanent metal screens are expected to be installed in the coming weeks.
There is a second project relating to the upgrade of Blackheath Soldiers Memorial Park. This is a separate project funded by the NSW Public Spaces Legacy Program and relates to the play space, duck pond and surrounding landscape. You can find out more and have your your say on that project here.
*Stage one of this project has been funded under the Western Parkland City Liveability Program, which is part of the Western Sydney City Deal (WSCD). The WSCD is a 20 year-agreement between Australian and NSW governments, and the eight local Councils of the Western Parkland City.
Stay informed - be the first to find out about the next steps, click ‘Subscribe’ in the Stay informed box.
A brand new toilet block and a fully accessible pathway have been constructed at Blackheath Soldiers Memorial Park, making it easier for everyone in the community to use the park.
New toilet block now open
Monday, 3 April 2023
We are excited to announce that the new toilet block at Blackheath Soldiers Memorial Park is now open, ahead of Easter and the school holidays.
However, due to unavoidable supply issues, a temporary gate and lock system (so the building can be secured at night) has been put in place while we await the metal screens which will complete the project.
The permanent metal screens are expected to be installed in the coming weeks.
There is a second project relating to the upgrade of Blackheath Soldiers Memorial Park. This is a separate project funded by the NSW Public Spaces Legacy Program and relates to the play space, duck pond and surrounding landscape. You can find out more and have your your say on that project here.
*Stage one of this project has been funded under the Western Parkland City Liveability Program, which is part of the Western Sydney City Deal (WSCD). The WSCD is a 20 year-agreement between Australian and NSW governments, and the eight local Councils of the Western Parkland City.
Stay informed - be the first to find out about the next steps, click ‘Subscribe’ in the Stay informed box.
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Share How might we provide better shade and shelter? on Facebook Share How might we provide better shade and shelter? on Twitter Share How might we provide better shade and shelter? on Linkedin Email How might we provide better shade and shelter? link
How might we provide better shade and shelter?
over 5 years agoWhat kinds of shelters do we need and how many? What locations need some shelter? How do we create shade that is good for the heat of summer but still allows sun in winter?
Drkover 5 years agoNo need for more shelters
2 comments7Deborahover 5 years agoThat brick shelter....
Its a bit gloomy; how about retro-fitting glass brick panels/windows in the back
1 comment1CPLover 5 years agoSun sails over some of the play areas and grassy pool area
This is only needed in the summer. Could they be removed for the winter months?
1 comment2Blackheath residentover 5 years agodefinitely no need for more shelters. There are plenty of tree and bushy areas to shade under
0 comment1simon2010over 5 years agodare I say...
Deciduous trees are rather good at providing shade in summer & letting through warmth & light in winter. And this Park is 70% deciduous trees ...so, why not take a punt, sit under a tree, feel the earth beneath you. There are quite a few about! It can even be a pleasant experience in the rain :) No more artificial shade structures thank you very much!
1 comment7 -
Share How can we improve walking in the park? on Facebook Share How can we improve walking in the park? on Twitter Share How can we improve walking in the park? on Linkedin Email How can we improve walking in the park? link
How can we improve walking in the park?
over 5 years agoWhere would the paths go and which parts of the park would you want to link to? What about a loop walk? Should they be concrete, bitumen or something more natural?
Drkover 5 years agoSolve the water issues and walking fine and needs no further money spent
0 comment7Tony Jover 5 years agoEnsure the Rhodos Commemorating fallen Soldiers are protected
Some are dying - sort out the waterlogged areas. Research the Cairns with the names and recreate them
1 comment6Tony Jover 5 years agoSort out Lighting in the Park for Safety
Most of the lamp poles are broken or not working or removed - replace them so they indicate paths, add greater safety at night and make the paths more evident - make a light feature of the Gates and the Gallipoli Steps. Celebrate the fact that the Park is the "Soldiers Memorial Park" and honor that history
1 comment3Tony Jover 5 years agoReturn the Original Names to the roads and tracks
What happened to "Rifle Parade" and all the other military names for the paths - replace them and honour the early concepts and the history
0 comment5simon2010over 5 years agowhat a great place for walkers
I'm a walker and public transport user for ethical, health and environmental reasons. But I also walk for pleasure. When it comes to more 'manicured' spaces Sydney's Botanical Gardens and Blackheath Soldiers Memorial Park are two of my favourite venues. The wide variety of kinds of walkways/paths in the Memorial Park is one of its greatest assets. I can't see any reason to carve out further pathways. The origanal layout was well thought out. It simply requires ongoing maintenance. And reinstating path names based on WW1 battles would be an appropriate marking of the Centenary of Armistice.
1 comment1 -
Share The existing park toilets are terrible. They will be replaced but with what? on Facebook Share The existing park toilets are terrible. They will be replaced but with what? on Twitter Share The existing park toilets are terrible. They will be replaced but with what? on Linkedin Email The existing park toilets are terrible. They will be replaced but with what? link
Where would be the best location for new accessible toilets and how should they look?
whitebirdwilldieover 5 years agotidy up what is there, more regular maintenance every day would be good
the buildings are old but the cost for better building is going to put a strain on council budgets. Wentwothfalls toilets is a good example of wasted money
1 comment3adelecolmanover 5 years agoKeep it unique
Having a sensitively located, well designed, non-dominating toilet block in a higher traffic area would be great. Please make it uniquely Blackheath and fun. I also love the toilets behind rhododendron sign but agree that it's time to do something better, particularly for our children. (Council has done a good job on the Lawson toilet block).
1 comment5JaRover 5 years agoNew Toilets
New toilets need to be constructed close to the main playground and BBQ area. They need to be well lit and have baby change facilities.
0 comment0simon2010over 5 years agoPavilion Toilets
Until the Pool perimeter safety fence was erected the public had access to the Pavilion toilets (& showers) 12 months a year. This is now limited to the 4 to 5 months of Pool season. SO, when liberating the foot of the ANZAC Steps from the perimeter fence, also realign it along Freeform Pool north edge, in front of Pavilion. This will reinstate all year round access to perfectly adequate toilets (& showers).
2 comments3simon2010over 5 years agoBBQ Toilets adjacent to 'pump house'
Extend the Pool 'pump house' / filtration plant block to include toilets on the Play Area side. I refer to the small building between The Pool & The Duckpond, often overlooked as it's low key & in a shaded position. This site is plumbed and powered already, minizing construction costs, and is easily accessed from BBQ area, play equipment and The Rocket .
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Share How could we improve the design of water and waterways in the Blackheath Soldiers Memorial Park? on Facebook Share How could we improve the design of water and waterways in the Blackheath Soldiers Memorial Park? on Twitter Share How could we improve the design of water and waterways in the Blackheath Soldiers Memorial Park? on Linkedin Email How could we improve the design of water and waterways in the Blackheath Soldiers Memorial Park? link
How could we improve the design of water and waterways in the Blackheath Soldiers Memorial Park?
over 5 years agoThere is a lot of surface and groundwater moving through the park with wet patches in the lawns and lined culverts leading to the duck pond, and then into the Popes Glen Creek.
jenniecurtinover 5 years agoWhere it's boggy on the path to the swimming pool, what about a little bridge - like Monet's at Giverney! - instead of putting up barriers.
2 comments1simon2010over 5 years agoremove the dysfunctional path
Remove the dysfunctional path in the NW corner of the Park, above The Pool. It acts as a dam to natural water movements water. It is slippery with algae all year round, rendering it unusable, there is a perfectly serviceable path leading down from Gardiner Crescent bus shelter, via the 'wishing well' to the Pool entry. This path serves absolutely no logical function.
2 comments5Drkover 5 years agoDuck boards or small bridges to let the water under sound a good solution.
0 comment1CPLover 5 years agoDuckboards or small bridge over the boggy area sounds good
0 comment2Allendaleabout 5 years agoCreate lakes and ponds
These are entirely in keeping with English Landscape principles. Plant sedges and native flowering water plants. Native water lilies would thrive in this environment. The ducks and other birds would flock to the ponds and children would learn about water gardens. By installing detention ponds (a lake or pond by another name) the water flowing from the stormwater would be filtered and cleaned before it passes under the swimming pool, enters the Duck Pond and then proceeds to Popes Glen.
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Share All other ideas! on Facebook Share All other ideas! on Twitter Share All other ideas! on Linkedin Email All other ideas! link
All other ideas!
over 5 years agoDrkover 5 years agoToilets should be near the play area . Little children often need a toilet quickly!
0 comment2Bulldogover 5 years agoShaded areas, more equipment for kids and exercise equipment for adults.
4 comments1simon2010over 5 years agoBlackheath Soldiers Memorial Park HERITAGE SIGNIFICANCE
Please action the 2009 decision to develop a LANDSCAPE masterplan. This will guide all development ideas floated here. Most critical to my mind being paying heed to local, state & national heritage listing of many elements of the Park. Respect should be paid to the 'garden rooms' layout, as advised in 1921 by James Dawes, Superintendent of Centennial Park, who came to Blackheath to outline the potential and suitability of the land to create a unique park. And respect should also be paid to community affection for the Soldiers Memorial Park one hundred years on, and succession planting of aging memorial Rhododendrons and trees, many also reaching their centenaries. Historical significance of Blackheath Memorial Park is documented on the NSW Office of Environment & Heritage database. The database Statement of Significance is: "Blackheath Memorial Park has a high degree of historic, social and aesthetic value and has been an important site in the development of the Blackheath township since the late 1860s. It has supported dams, essential in the establishment of the railway through the township, has been a golf course and since the early 1920s has provided the largest, most central and best designed reserve grounds for the local community." Bh023 : Memorial Park listing Bh184 : Blackheath Memorial Park War Memorial Steps listing Bh185 : Blackheath Memorial Park Gates listing Bh186 : Blackheath Memorial Park Pool Pavilion listing http://www.environment.nsw.gov.au/heritageapp/ViewHeritageItemDetails.aspx?ID=1172041 Blackheath Memorial Park listing on Australian Heritage Council database http://www.ahc.gov.au/cgi-bin/register/site.pl?102234
3 comments2JaRover 5 years agoAnother BBQ and picnic tables
What about installing another BBQ and set of picnic tables at the top of the park (Park Ave end, perhaps near the old shelter).
0 comment0Dr Suessover 5 years agoWild Swimming in the "Lake"
I know this is going to sound crazy to many... but years ago before pools are the way they are now, I (and all my class mates) used to swim in a dammed creek... we had floating lanes for the swimming carnival. No one ever got sick. It went on all through my primary school years... us ,the ducks, the reeds, the fish. No need for concrete or chemicals or big ugly fences... just saying...
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Related projects
Live Projects
Key Dates
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October 2021
FAQs
- What is happening at Blackheath Soldiers Memorial Park?
- How are the works funded?
- Where will the accessible pathway go?
- Will there be any disruptions during the construction of the toilet block and accessible path?
- What is a Masterplan?
- When was the Blackheath Soldiers Memorial Park Masterplan adopted by council?
- What are the four elements identified in the Masterplan for Blackheath Soldiers Memorial Park, and why are they important?
- What is a district park?
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Who's Listening
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Strategic Infrastructure Projects Engineer
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Perspective
This is a short video of Blackheath local and accessibility advocate SJ Staszak talking about her experience of getting around and using Blackheath Soldiers Memorial Park.
This is one insight into the Blackheath Soldiers Memorial Park Master Plan. What do you think?