Blacktown City Council - Media Release - New Pooch Parks And Pupnic

Blacktown City has one of the highest dog ownership rates in

the state and to support responsible dog ownership Council 

has just opened 2 new dog parks in Hebersham and 

Quakers Hill and is hosting a dog picnic to celebrate.

The off-leash, fenced enclosures are located at Paterson 

Reserve, Quakers Hill and in Heber Park, Hebersham.

Blacktown City Councillors Chris Quilkey and Moninder 

Singh recently joined the Department of Planning’s director 

of Open Space, Fiona Morrison and children and teachers 

from Mary Immaculate primary school in opening the 

Paterson Reserve dog park.

“These two dog parks will bring to 16 the number of off-leash 

areas in Blacktown City,” Councillor Quilkey said.

“Dog parks bring many benefits to the community.

“They encourage dog owners to exercise their pets and 

themselves, meet fellow dog owners and be part of the 

community. At the same time, the facilities prevent dogs 

interfering with other activities and events in the parks.”

The NSW Department of Planning, Infrastructure and 

Environment contributed $190,000 to the cost of the 

construction of the 2 dog parks which include watering 

points, shaded seating, fencing and a special gateway 

system to make dog handling easier.

Council is inviting pooches and their owners to a dog picnic 

at the new off-leash park at Paterson Reserve, Quakers Hill 

on Sunday 15 September.

The pupnic will be held from 9am to 10.30am and there will 

be free giveaways, pupcakes and information on animal 

adoption and responsible pet ownership.

Date:   Sunday, 15 September

Time: 9am to 10.30am

Location:        Off-leash dog park, Paterson Reserve, Quakers Hill

Pet lovers should mark their calendar for the annual 

Blacktown Pet Festival on Sunday 13 October at the 

Blacktown Showground.

The pet-friendly day promises to be full of fun with a range of 

entertainment and activities to help owners look after their 

companions and raise community awareness about

responsible pet ownership.

Date:            Sunday, 13 October, 2018

Time: 10am to 2pm  

Location:         Blacktown Showground Precinct, Richmond 

Road, Blacktown

 Blacktown City Councillors Chris Quilkey and Moninder Singh (centre) joined the Department of Planning’s director of Open Space, Fiona Morrison and children and teachers from Mary Immaculate Primary School (and dogs) in opening the Paterson Reserve dog park.

New Park Alert - Coming Soon To Prospect - Blacktown City Cpuncil Twitter

Blacktown City Council

New park alert! Coming soon is the new Prospect Park.

Construction will be complete by June, weather permitting.

Please note the artist impression is not the final layout, but all

pieces included in the design will be implemented.

Editors Notes: I wonder if we will be getting parks like this in

Wards 4-5 within Mount Druitt Area, in the future as well?

Blacktown City Council - Media Release - New Toongabbie Playground Opens

MEDIA RELEASE

20 October 2017

Toongabbie locals are enjoying the chance to slide, rock and swing with the new and improved $135,000 upgrade to Valencia Park. 

The new park boasts a hill slide, spinner, rocker, swing, climbing elements and an imagination play corner.

There is also seating using recycled timber logs, a concrete ramp for wheel-chair and pram access, and rubber soft-fall in the toddler play area.

“A highlight of the new playground is the 4-metre long slide built into the hill, which older kids are sure to love,” Mayor of Blacktown City Stephen Bali said.

“Residents told Council they wanted a play space that responded to the unique nature and terrain of the site.

“We’ve responded by creating a hill slide, using recycled timber as seats and steppers, and by planting more native trees. 

“I want to thank everyone who had their say as part of the community consultation and worked with Council to ensure we designed the best playground possible.”

Toongabbie resident and mother of two Suzette Meade said the new playground had brought the community together.

“It’s created this wonderful community cohesion,” she said.

“We live just across the road and we see all the people walking and driving to the playground.

“It shows just how vital green space is for the community and residents.”

Ward 3 Councillor Kathie Collins said Council is hosting a free barbecue at Velencia Park on Saturday, 28 October, to celebrate the playground opening.

“I encourage residents to come along and see for themselves the great new facilities on offer at Valencia Park,” she said.

Fellow Ward 3 Councillor Susai Benjamin said local residents were excited about the new

playground, which replaces old equipment at the site. 

“There has been a growing number of families moving to the area and they needed access to a high quality playground,” he said.

“Now, thanks to the combined efforts of Council and the community, local residents have a wonderful space to meet, play and spend time together.”

Suzette Meade, Matilda Meade (aged 3), Councillor Kathie Collins, Ebony McGuire (aged 4) and Katie McGuire try out the new Valencia Park playground.

Clara McGuire, 2, has fun on the new toddler playground at Valencia Park.

Blacktown City Council Media Release 'Parkour Comes To Blacktown'

MEDIA RELEASE

                                                                                                                                           

                                                                                                                                               5 July 2017

Blacktown City Council is the first council in Western Sydney to build a Parkour-inspired place space, at Bidwill Park.

Parkour, developed in France, is a training discipline that uses exercise and fitness training movements derived from military obstacle course training.

The $150,000 Blacktown City Council-led project includes an obstacle climbing course, with Parkour pieces and spinning elements.

It was designed with help from students at Bidwill Primary School and Chifley College Campus Bidwill, who took part in Council-run workshops over two days last year.

“Council wanted to know what local kids wanted from a playground in their neighbourhood,” Deputy Mayor of Blacktown City, Councillor Tony Bleasdale said.

“Their ideas were directly incorporated into the planning and design of the innovative play-space we see today.

“This is an exciting attraction for local young people to get fit, have some fun and try out some Parkour moves.

“With the opening of this new play space local enthusiasts of the heart-stopping sport can challenge themselves close to home.”

The Bidwill play space opening celebration included a thrilling performance by Western Sydney-based Parkour group, Team 9 Lives.

Team 9 Lives director Ali Kadhim said he hoped the demonstration would inspire young people to give Parkour a go.

“The Parkour space here is awesome, it’s everything young kids need to get started and I wish a grew up next to a park like this,” he said.

“It’s never too late and you’re never too young to start. The time to start is now. Start with the basics, start small and learn with your friends.

“It’s all about having fun and building community spirit.”

The project was completed thanks in part to a $50,000 contribution from the Department of Family and Community Safety (FACS).

“FACS are proud to partner with local organisations to support projects that build stronger and safer communities,” FACS spokesperson Mychelle Curran said.

“The new playground will be a great addition to the Blacktown community and will benefit social housing residents.”

State Member for Mt Druitt Edmond Atalla said: “Play spaces like this are more than just an economic investment – they are an investment in the quality of life for communities like Bidwill.

“I am delighted to see Blacktown City Council taking a leadership role in delivering exciting play spaces for the young people of Mt Druitt.”

Team 9 Lives performers with Deputy Mayor Tony Bleasdale, Danielle Bijen from FACS, Member for Mt Druitt Edmond Atalla, Cr Brad Bunting and Cr Kathie Collins with local children Malakye Wallace and Jye Wallace.

Further Blacktown City Council Alert on Sporting Activities In Parks....

MEDIA ALERT

This is to advise that Blacktown City Council parks where sporting activities are conducted remain   CLOSED  for  ALL SPORTS until  4.00 pm Tuesday 13 June  2017

A decision on whether the Parks will be reopened will be made on Tuesday 13  June  by 12:00 Noon.

Council also provides the latest information on Park Closures via its website at http://services.blacktown.nsw.gov.au/wetweather/  and its Wet Weather Information Line on 9839 6575.

Please be advised that this notice DOES NOT include

    ·        Blacktown International Sportspark - please contact (02) 9839 6591 or visit the web 
    site www.blacktownsportspark.com.au
    ·        Blacktown Football Park (Synthetic Grass Field) for details Telephone 96751211 or
    www.bdsfa.com  

Blacktown City Council Alert - All Council Parks.....

MEDIA ALERT

All Blacktown City Council parks where sporting activities are conducted within the City of Blacktown are  closed 

for  all sports until  4.00 pm Friday, 9 June  2017

A decision on whether the Parks will be reopened will be made on Friday, 9 June  by 12:00 Noon.

  

Council also provides the latest information on Park Closures via its website at http://services.blacktown.nsw.gov.au/wetweather/  and its Wet Weather Information Line on

9839 6575.

That this notice DOES NOT include

1…. Blacktown International Sportspark - please contact (02) 9839 6591 or visit the web site www.blacktownsportspark.com.au

2…. Blacktown Football Park - Synthetic Grass Field ,for details Telephone 9675 1211 or  www.bdsfa.com                                                                                                                                                                                                                             

No Top Ten Out Fitness Places in Greater Western Sydney - Daily Telegraph

If any politicians believe in fitness in parks, gardens and lakes, ponds etc, then there need to be a concerted effort to  really push for this as no areas in Mount Druitt, Blacktown City Council and Greater Western Sydney are in the Daily Telegraph's top 10 Outdoor Work Out Spots

A change of  'Parks/Reserves Funding' to bring more fitness  activities and looping pathways will bring a better sense of health well being to the community. This will make people interact with jogging, walking and running and cycling, which increases peoples  lie and provides a healthier life style.

 If you ask one person what there thought of a local park/garden is: swings, slippery dips, benches, grass and just a straight forward pathway from from to back. S o hope the next  time the Daily Telegraph does a story like this we  have a few in the top 10.

Where To Take Your Children In And Around Mount Druitt?

Interesting question raised in '2770 Watch Face Book Group'! We can hop into a car, catch a taxi or bus then train and take our children to Sydney City and go for a tour or west to the Blue Mountains to visit the three sisters but.... this is far to travel and if our children have been to these places, they will need to seek adventure at other places.

This all depends on the age of your children and how much energy they have to be used up, until they are exhausted at the end of the day.

Here are some places to take your children:

• Darling Harbour Play Park
• Kid about - St Marys
• Lollipop Playland
• Kids Fun Factory, Minchinbury
• Lizard Log - Horsely Park
• Netball fields in Penrith: ride bikes/scooters
• Panthers Aqua Golf - $7 a buck of golf balls
• Penrith Cables - Jumping Pillows
• Nurrangingy Reserve
• Prospect Reservoir
• Go Bananas St Marys
• Plumpton Wetlands
• Featherdale Wildlife Park, Doonside 
• Taronga Zoo
• AMF Bowling Mount Druitt
• Movies
• Ice Skating
• Parramatta Park
• Planet X - Mount Druitt

 Finally, checkout out:
 Fun For Kids - Western Sydney Face Book Group 
this might assist as well.

My only issue that Blacktown City Council has not got a  ecommunity friendly video  promoting major parks in each Ward, You Tube and if Council can make this a priority, then this can promoted on You Tube, mentioned on Annual Council Calendar, this make Blacktown City Council showcase the major parks and gardens not just to the local community but to visitors from all around Australia and the world.

Let's hope Councillors and Council Officers take this initiative on board!







 

Hythe Street Reserve - No One Enters!

Is Hythe Street Reserve a Reserved or is it Reserved for Median Density Housing?

Whether you are a 'Greenie' or not, Hythe Street Reserve (which has no signage in front of it) on the corner of Hythe and Earl Streets North Mount Druitt, sending a message that id begging for a private developer to provide median density housing like 3-4 levels of units or multiple Town Houses. In its vicinity (a stone throw away) Shennan Walk Way (again, no park signs indicated) is capable of having proper children activities and amenities in this park.

Up the road at the end of Earl Street, is a huge park, 'William Mason Reserve' (less than 200 metres away) and 15r

Blacktown City Council has neglected to place signage of 'Shennan Walk Way' and 'Hythe Street Reserve', which in itself may cause problems when establishing where one person may be relaxing in and  for establishing a community identity for these Reserves.

In relation to 'Hythe Street Reserve' it has generally overgrown grass and pedestrian passer-byers toss out their rubbish into it. It is even used as a dumping ground. Council's does it's duty to clean the Reserve as often as they can. With the cutting of the grass, this is neglected and seems to been done once every six months.

I request Blacktown City Council to either upgrade and
 maintain this Reserve, more often than previously done. Also Council need to maybe placing a  short cut path way from Hythe Street ( East of Hythe Street Reserve) to Earl Street (North of Hythe Street Reserve) or if the property is just a property, reserve to be sold, do that

Garbage Bins In Council Parks - Serious Thinking Required From Council

The  important subject of bins in parks for the community, making it easier for community members  to collect left over rubbish, is subject that is a hot topic.

Bin Alongside Debbie Circuit, North Mount Druitt

Personally, I would like to see them in parks, rather than scattered rubbish left by community members. Thus making Council provide daily 'waste disposal collectors' - cleaning parks and gardens. Then comes the problem that community members who don't care, will  try to destroy the bins, by way of stealing or setting them alight (as I have seen before).

This pathway joins Moorehead Avenue To Duke Street

So how do we control these issues. Simple, Blacktown City Council should look at selecting 'Park Carer Volunteers',  to keep watch on the park and report directly to Council or NSW Police on any vandalism or community members that are not complying to laws and  bi-laws of ensuring a clean and safe environment within Councils Parks. A proper selection process and police clearance for the people selected. A suggestion is to engage the community in caring for the community!

The other suggestion, is to ensure Council organizes permanent daily clean ups and even employes 'working for the dole people, who will be paid additional funds on top of Centre Link payments, as each person is rewarded for the amount of time appropriately worked.

What do you think?